George H. Pride Associate Horticulturist, Arnold Arboretum Harvard University, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

There are more than 150 active daylily breeders in this country struggling to outdo each other. The raw material these breeders have to work with is enormous and would have astounded daylily breeders of only 25 or 30 years ago. In addition to the basic species colors of yellow an? orange, the range now includes pink, peach, melon, bright red, orange red, dark red, many shades of lavender and purple, brown, near black and those with such a mixture of colors and< ~ades that they are spoken of as polychromes. There are daylilies now so close to pure white that we have stopped speaking of them as "near white" or " off white" this type is 'Creepy Crawler' with has registered over 20,000 cultivars. and are just calling them "white". A very pronounced lacy edges. The first named daylily was 'Ap­ new cultivar named 'Gentle Echo' is A relatively new and striking de­ ricot', which originated in England a good example. Unfortunately for velopment to both the breeder and in 1892. Interest in breeding these northern gardeners, it is an ever­ the gardener is the ever-increasing predominantly yellow and orange green and there may be trouble in number of tetraploid daylilys. Dr. flowers was slow for the next 30 growing it in the north for any Virginia Peck, in the late summer years. Bu.t in the 1930s interest length of time. Also, unfortunately, issue of 1977 of the American Hor­ began to pick up. Still, until the year from many a breeder' s standpoint, it ticulturist, did a masterful job of de­ 1948 only an average of 150 cultivars is a diploid. scribing this daylily's emergence. In a year were registered. For the next A true blue day lily is still missing the tetraploids all the old colors 30 years the average increased to 550 and may be a long way off, but prog­ and many new ones are available, a year. And for the last few years in ress is being made. There are bicolor but their flower size includes some the 19705, the average was over 700 daylilies with strongly contrasting from the miniature and small­ new cultivars annually. This is a flower colors. There are those with flowered range as well as those with staggering number. Obviously the picotee edges. Some have very strik­ . larger flowers. average gardener can buy only a tiny ing " eye zones". The newest depar­ The American Hemerocallis Soci­ bit of the annual output and will ture involves plants with frilly edges ety is the official registry for new have trouble even seeing more than on all their flower segments, like daylily cultivars. Since this society a very few of these new ones. This 'Golden Surrey' and 'Chicago Lav- started in 1946 (then known as the means that the vast majority of new 2 ender Lace' . The most remarkable of Midwest Hemerocallis Society) it Continued on page 40 Far Left-'Tet Set' Left-'Little Hustler' Above-'Something Else' Below-'Far Out'

3 Rachel Snyder Editor, Flower and Garden Magazine

" EverywhereJ as far as the eye could is well known. In keeping with the reach , there was nothing but rough, timelessness of expanses where they shaggy , red grass, most of it as tall as grow, many species do not respond I. . . As I looked about me I felt that quickly to a gardener's touch. the grass was the country, as the Nevertheless, ample motives water is the sea. " beckon us to learn how to grow and -Willa Cather, "0 Pioneers" use them. One motive is prairie res­ torations, being attempted now in There was no word in English for many botanical gardens and in pri­ the broad grasslands found in the vate and public projects. Another

vast interior of North America by motive is to have /I ecology lawns," a the exploring Europeans. These practical idea for swards that main­ were an entity unknown to the tain themselves in reasonable order English-speaking world, so we without much mowing or care. adopted the name used by early Another motive, with farmers, is the /', French adventurers-I! prairie. I! It valuable hay crop prairie grasses of­ means meadow. Today, ecologists fer. To the flower arranger, many of may define a prairie wordily and in these grasses are quite beautiful various ways, but the main idea is a either fresh or dried, and some of treeless expanse dominated by na­ them are appropriate subjects for tive grasses. flower gardens. To soil conserva­ Many broadleafed plants, called tion, highway and park planners, forbs, co-exist with grasses in a the prairie grasses offer soil stabiliz­ prairie, and until now these have ing, conservation and low mainte­ had more attention from gardeners nance capabilities, plus perma­ than the grasses. Phlox, goldenrods nence. and asters are three popular groups Permanence is one of their great of garden flowers with strong charms. prairie origins. Finally now the For all we know, a sod of undis­ grasses seem to be winning a more turbed big bluestem may be as old proper share of horticultural recog­ as the patriarch 4,900 year bristle­ nition. Perhaps recent efforts (still cone pines in California's White unfulfilled) to save a portion of the Mountains, often cited as the most fast vanishing tall grass prairie in a venerable living things. The grasses national park or preserve, have con­ owe their endurance through dif­ tributed to the growing interest. species. Agrostology, the branch of ficult times to deep and efficient This recognition was under­ botany dealing with grasses, is an roots and their habit of retreating standably slow in coming. An edu­ arcane science to the layman. Be­ into dormancy when conditions cated eye and brain are needed to yond the botany and into the hor­ make growth untenable. 4 distinguish the different grass ticulture of prairie grasses, even less Two threats they cannot with- stand are the plow and encroaching grass (Buchloe dactyloides). In this August to October is a graceful, del­ trees. The tree threat deserves more group the last-named is a misfit in icate, softly bearded affair borne in consideration than it usually gets, in the tallgrass group because it sel­ racemes alternating or spiraling up relation to preservation of prairies. dom grows over five or six inches the branching stems. The reason for Since wind driven fires no longer high (if that) but it is being widely the common name " bluestem" for sweep prairie regions to clean them tried in the Great Plains as a lawn both this and big bluestem is pre­ occasionally of infringing trees, a grass that needs no watering and sumably the frequent bluish cast in prairie may be as surely destroyed only seldom mowing. leaf blades and stems. Sometimes by overtopping forest as by plow. Of the first six, all but western the blades are tinged purple. Start This possibility is particularly great wheatgrass are warm season seeds of this for a garden in the same in the more humid eastern, or grasses, starting to green up only manner as described for big blue­ tallgrass, prairies. after the soil warms in spring. They stem. If you have a piece of prairie to burgeon into vigorous growth Indiangrass (Sorgh astrum nutans) preserve, and cannot use fire, you through the peak of summer heat. is the equal of big bluestem in must resort to tree riddance by ax Sideoats is earliest of these to reach height (to six feet by September, and by herbicide. But these will not maturity, usually by early August. when it matures). It surpasses it in have the purifying effect of fire . On By late summer the rest have shot up beauty of the wand-like seed stems, the other hand, if you grow prairie their flowering stems or "culms," which slightly resemble cultivated grasses close to combustible quickly transforming into seeds­ sorghums, although they are more buildings,·be alert to the fire hazard and these stiff wands will persist, graceful. It forms a clump with short they present, for in dry winter con­ unless mowed or grazed off, until scaly rhizomes growing steadily dition, a clump of bluestem, switch early the next spring. By then most outward. The foliage is rough to or indiangrass will burn like a torch. will have broken over from the touch but refined in appearance, From over the hundreds of rigors of winter, and the seeds will and after frost it turns yellow­ thousands of square miles of origi­ have·been shed. orange. For gardens, plant this as nal prairie (much of the Midwest) Big bluestem (turkeyfoot) (An­ described for big bluestem. there have been described around dropo gon gerardi) is usually consid­ Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) 300 species of native grasses. From ered the backbone of tallgrass represents a very large genus that these, six or seven individual prairies. It grows robustly, easily to botanists consider difficult. It has a species have emerged as a basic first six feet where moisture is plentiful, lot of weedy annual relatives, but group for ventures into horticulture. and in August a man on a horse this perennial Panicum is fairly easy Giving credit where it is due, the could vanish into a prairie of it. It to distinguish by its lacey, delicate Soil Conservation Service of the grows in a tufted fashion with stout seed panicles up to five feet tall on U.S. Department of Agriculture has rhizomes that reach out and estab­ stout erect stems growing out of led the way for about 40 years in test­ lish a sod. The three-fingered struc­ dense clumps of coarse foliage. The ing, studying and growing various ture on which the flowers and sub­ many-branched flower and seed strains and varieties of these and sequently seeds form is the reason head is about 15 inches long and 5 to others for range renewal, roadside for the name "turkeyfoot," although 7 inches across, with diffuse hair­ restoration, airports, waterways occasionally there will be fewer or like pedicels such as children use for and similar uses. Commercial en­ more than three of the two-inch "tickle-grass." Ec;l.sily grown, this terprises have followed, fostering "fingers." To start this for gardens, seed can be planted almost any time the first essential for horticultural sow fresh seeds lightly covered in moisture is present. It needs no spe­ development, namely, a source of flats in autumn in a coldframe; let cial treatment, and you can seed it good seeds. Until recently, no such them freeze through winter, to directly where you want it in the reliable seed sources existed for gar­ emerge the next spring. Or plant garden. deners. seeds outdoors in the ground in Sideoats gram a (Bouteloua cur­ These six or seven main kinds are: spring. Transplant young plants to tipendula) is diminutive compared big bluestem or turkeyfoot (An­ the permanent garden the following to the four grasses just described, dropogongerardi) (formerly furcatus); spring. growing only 2 to 3 feet high when little bluestem (Andropogon Little bluestem (Andropogon in seed. The basal clump of neat, scoparius) (some recent authorities scoparius), the state grass of Ne­ handsome bluish foliage is 6 to 10 may place it in '"'Schizachrium); in­ braska, is what Willa Cather meant inches high, spreading outward by diangrass (Sorghastrum nutans); by the "red grass" of autumn. It slender rhizomes and eventually switchgrass (Panicum virga tum); usually forms a dense t'uft or clump, forming a tight sod. This grass has sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipen­ but it also tillers out. In good condi­ been tried for seldom-mowed dula); western wheatgrass (Agropy­ tions it grows to four feet tall, and its "ecology lawns." Its bloom and seed ron smithii); and possibly buffalo- flower and seed arrangement from Continued on page 32 5

AColonyoflris •

Mrs. Ralph H . Ca nnon 5849 N. Ka stner Avenue Chicago , IL 60646 The idea of growing the beautiful clematis-flowered iris from Japan, Iris ka empferi, has been uppermost in my mind for a long time. While reading the beautiful, illustrated book, " Flowers of the World", by Frances Perry and Leslie Green­ wood (1) in their discussion of Iris kaempferi, I noted the statement "a mixed batch of seeds affords a cheap and often highly satisfactory method of starting a colony of Iris kaempferi" . I at once thought that ~ :; this was the experiment I would try. -;. J:J Being a scientist, I have found again :g and again that a willingness to ex- ~ periment was the most important at­ tribute of solving a question of any watered. The troughs were then deep root system well before winter. kind. All gardeners should experi­ covered with metal trays. They were This first year after the ground froze ment. Does not much of the sport of watered when the soil was dry. If a they were covered with protective gardening begin with experiment­ snow happened to fall, the trays evergreen boughs. After developing ing? were removed to allow the snow to small clumps during the second For good seeds, I contacted the cover the plantings. Since the year's growth, they were left uncov­ noted plantsman, Reginald Perry of troughs were on the patio outside ered during the worst winter in our London, who was hybridizing Iris the kitchen door, we were able to time. In early spring of their third kaempferi from plants that he had watch the progress of the seeds. We year, the plants began to grow and personally brought in from Hok­ awaited the warmth of early spring flourish. On May 26th, maiden buds kaido, Japan, for his nursery at En­ to stimulate the seeds into growth. were showing on all of the two­ field, England. These iris were from By May 2nd, all seeds were starting year-old seedlings. How intriguing the Higoi strain. Late in October he and the tray covers were removed to watch the flower spikes lengthen sent me a generous gift of seed from permanently. By June 4th, the plants with their tight buds. On June 12th, one of the self-pollinated iris. Out­ were 4 inches high and growing the great folded silk-scarfs of the door sowings were made in my vigorously. The germination was flowers began to open and give a Chicago garden the first week in excellent. display of their enchanting beauty. March, 1975, in stone troughs hav­ The seedlings were allowed to Each bloom lasted at least three ing good drainage in a mixed soil of grow in the troughs until August. days. one-half peat and one-half leafmold. When they were 12 to 14 inches tall, The range of colors was wide and The seed were sown individually in they were transplanted to a specially pleasing, some blotched, some stip­ the normal manner and carefully prepared bed for them to establish a Continued on page 42 7 Tom Stev enson

I have spoken to several arborists after all of these things have been ity may act as a base for the forma­ groups in the last few years, says Dr. done, if the homeowner wants some tion of new callus material. So I am Alex L. Shigo, Chief Plant colorful or wound dressing on the not against filling cavities, but I feel Pathologist, USDA Forest Service, surface, then apply it. I keep stres­ that a person should not fill a cavity For estry Sciences Laboratory, sing the point that wound dressing with the thought that they will stop Durham, N.H., and there are ques­ should be in priority 5 or 6. the decay process. tions about wounds and decay that At the same time I keep stressing Another question often asked are asked at every session. the importance of maintenance pro­ concerns water collecting in decay The major question deals with grams for trees and especially high columns. Apparently the common wound dressings. When I first value trees. practice is to bore a hole below the spoke out against wound dressings I If the arborists follow these opening to drain the water. The felt that the arborists were very guidelines they will make more basis for this is that most people be­ much disturbed and many did not profit, make the homeowner very lieve the water in the column will want to believe what I was saying. pleased and also help the tree. cause the entire hole to decay I feel now that I am making some The next major group of questions rapidly at that point. headway in convincing them that I concern cavity filling. This one will The best thing you can do is leave am helping them more than hinder­ die hard. r usually begin an answer it alone. When a hole is bored into ing their operations. to this question by restating the the stem, the barrier wall around the I answer this question now by ex­ points I have made so many times defect column is broken and the mi­ plaining to them that wound concerning compartmentalization croorganisms have easy access to the dressings may not harm the tree but of defects in trees. healthy tissues. they do no good either. After a tree is injured the cam­ Questions on pruning are always After a tree is wounded, the in­ bium (new ring) forms a barrier asked. Dead branches should be jured bark should be removed and zone that separates invading fungi pruned flush with the main stem. If the wound shaped as an elongated from the wood tissue that forms a branch stub several inches long is ellipse. The bark should be cut back subsequently. This barrier is very left and a callus ridge forms around from the wound so that the exposed effective and continues to limit the the stub, I recommend cutting the area is enlarged over the actual size decay even after 50 or 60 years. stub as close as possible to that cal­ of the injury. Now, when a person considers fill­ lus ridge. I am against cutting the Then the dead and dying ing a cavity, the first thing they callus ridge flush with the main branches of the tree should be think about is cleaning as much stem. pruned properly, and I emphasize decay as possible from the tree. All kinds of chemicals are being the word properly. Great care must be taken not to pumped into trees now for various Sanitation is the next step. Old break through that barrier zone reasons. Every time the bark is bro­ dead material around the tree from the inside. The barrier zone ken, you have a wound. I will be should be removed. Dead material limits decay and if that barrier is looking into some of these problems harbors all types of microorganisms broken, the microorganisms will very soon. I realize that some of the that could infect wounds. move out into the healthy tissues wounds over long periods of time The next step is to consider that surround the decay. could result in serious problems. whether the not-so-valuable trees It is fine if a person wants to put Above all, I feel that vigor is all and shrubs might be crowding the some material in a cavity to enhance important and regular programs of injured tree. This would be a good the appearance of the tree. maintenance must be considered if time to cut some of the competing Aesthetics must be considered we are to keep our trees beautiful trees. first. Second, some of the materials and healthy. Fertilize and prune The tree should be fertilized may add some strength to the stem. them, particularly to remove dead 8 properly and watered also. Then Third, the material put into the cav- wood, and water them during pro- longed dry weather. for additional fertilizer; the use of forced on the grower because of A healthy, vigorous tree can often biological pest control to reduce or changes in society. For example, withstand insects and diseases that eliminate the need for pesticides. mechanization of production has otherwise might kill them. Unquestionably, these are desir­ been hastened by difficulties in able procedures to use in food pro­ finding workers willing to perform The Organic Gardener duction. No one can argue that they field work and by the increasing cost Benefits U.S. Effort are not protective of the environ­ of this labor. Over the last several decades, as ment and that the resulting food is Furthermore, the desire of the commercial agriculture in the not as healthful as can be grown. general public to purchase only per­ United States has become in­ It should be pointed out, how­ fect, undamaged and unblemished creasingly mechanized and depen­ ever, that these farming practices farm produce forces the grower to dent upon inorganic fertilizers and are not new. They were not origi­ use every means at his disposal, in­ chemical pesticides, the cult of or­ nated by the present-day organic cluding chemical pesticides, to raise ganic gardening has developed and gardener but actually have been es­ such produce in order to operate flourished, says Dr. E. C. Borchers, tablished farming practices for a profitably. Director, Virginia Truck and Orna­ long time. In effect, the organic gar­ Just about every farmer will agree mentals Research Station, VPI, Nor­ dener has, in many respects, re­ that organic farming methods are folk. tained many of the farming methods desirable and that the main reason Organic gardening can be de­ of a bygone era while modern com­ they are not used universally is that, scribed, he says, as the production mercial agriculture has changed. in many farming situations, they are of crop plants with the aid of only Change in commercial agriculture impractical. Because of this, strictly " naturally occurring materials" for in the United States has come about orthodox organic gardening proba­ use as fertilizers and pesticides" because of the need to produce very bly always will be restricted to gar­ Thus organic fertilizers and chemi­ large amounts of food, that is free dens and a few small farms where cal pesticides synthesized by man from blemishes and insect and dis­ special efforts are made to secure or­ are unacceptable for use in organic ease damage, to feed a highly indus­ ganic fertilizing material and where food production while such mate­ trialized and mechanized society rather high levels of insect and dis­ rials as bone meal fertilizer and that basically has an aversion to ease damage are tolerated. rotenone insecticide are acceptable. laboring in the field. Commercial agriculture will con­ There is some confusion about the While the modern day farmer tinue to rely on many practices that use of the term "organic." Chemists might wish to farm as his are enthusiastically supported by use the term to denote all carbon grandfather did, he finds it impos­ the organic gardener including the containing compounds no matter sible in the United States of 1977. maintaining of proper soil pH, rotat­ how they are derived. Where is he to find the stable man­ ing crops, using cover crops and the Organic gardeners, however, use ure for his fields and, if he could, planting of pest resistant varieties. the term to refer only to those com­ would it be profitable to haul it? However, the chances are that pounds derived from plants and Where would he find the large commercial agriculture will con­ animals. Thus such insecticides as numbers of willing field workers tinue to rely heavily on inorganic malathion and Sevin would be needed to weed and hoe his crops if fertilizers but there will likely be classified as organic compounds by he decided to cease using chemical more widespread use .of slow release the chf?mist but would not be so herbicides? If he could find these types. classified by the organic gardener. workers he probably could not af­ Also , we can expect closer For the purposes of this article we ford to pay them satisfactory wages monitoring of fertilizer needs of will use the definition of the organic at present price levels. crops and more careful and timely gardener. Where would he find the ad­ fertilizer applications. The image that has developed of ditional field workers needed to Finally, it appears likely that the organic gardener is one who is harvest his crops if he decided to commercial agriculture will always interested in producing crops by give up harvesting machinery? require chemical pesticides. How­ maximizing the use of compost, Once again, it is doubtful if he could ever, we are now seeing the de­ green manure and stable manure for afford to pay them acceptable wages velopment of less toxic and less per­ fertilizing and soil conditioning; the at today's prices even if they could sistent chemicals, biological insect use of mulch to conserve moisture be found. control agents, development of dis­ and control weeds; the use of crop Where would he sell disease and ease and insect resistant crop variet­ rotation to help control insects, dis­ insect damaged farm products if he ies and development of integrated eases and wf?f?ds and also reduce the ceased using chemical insecticides insect control programs. All of these need for additional fertilizer; the use and fungicides? Actually many developments should ultimately re­ of intercropping systems to produce changes in commercial agriculture duce the need for chemical pes- higher yields and reduce the need in the United States have been ticides. 9 Ornamental Grasses forGardens

Lynne Meyer 10705 Great Arbor Drive Potomac, MD 20854

This exquisiteness results frequently from the textural contrast they bring to our gardens. In comparison to the majority of plants we use, their leaves and flowers are finer and more delicate. The leaves of most grasses are considerably more narrow than they are long - more so than those of most other monocots frequently grown such as Iri s, Narcissus and Hemeroca llis. This fine texture, besides providing a visual contrast, allows the wind to gently contribute motion and soft ru~tling sounds to our gardens. The inflorescences of the grasses are composed of very tiny flowers and contribute to the plant's textural contrast; the effect can be extremely soft and cloud-like. Two grasses are particularly appropriate in a perennial border garden for this cloud effect. The weeping love grass, Eragros tis curvu fa , forms beautiful masses with its panicles of unusual dark olive flowers. The blooms ap­ pear in August, last into September and are excellent for fresh or dried arrangements. Eragrostis is well used in the foreground or middle ground of the perennial border. The panicles of the second grass, Panicum virgatum , commonly known as a switch grass, provide a soft purplish haze for the background of the border. A grass which is perhaps the most famous of all orna­ mental grasses is Cortaderi a se lloan a, the pampas grass. It Just what is an ornamental grass? We are familiar with was brought from South America to Europe by plant ex­ manicured lawns of turf grass growing thick and luxuri­ plorer James Tweedie in 1775, and was considered at the antly; they can be beautiful. The group of plants referred time to be his most valuable contribution. It was used to as the 'ornamental grasses' are not us~d for lawns but extensively in the Victorian period as a center for circular are grown to their full form and encouraged to produce bedding designs, in dried condition in parlor vases, and flowers. They are not mowed, fertilized, limed, rolled, as soft plumes in ladies' hats. In the United States it is aerated, and raked like lawn grasses. Conversely, their unfortunately not reliably hardy outdoors above USDA low maintenance speaks as highly for them as their fine Zone 7. Within its range it is magnificently used in mass textured beauty . plantings or as an elegant specimen. The panicles are I have upon occasion, however, heard them referred to dense and huge, one to four feet in size. They bloom in as " weeds". Perhaps it is because grasses are so com­ August and persist well into winter. The color varies mon. There are more than 40,000 world-wide species, among seedlings from white, silvery grey, tan, to tints of and to see them displayed in the garden is sometimes rose or purple. The foliage is three to nine feet long with shocking. E. A. Bowles, an English horticulturist, writer a glaucous, blue-green color becoming beige in fall and and grass grower, insisted that if grasses were not so in its northern range dying to the ground in winter. One common they would be considered the most exquisite of word of caution: it has extremely scabrous margins, 10 all cultivated plants. making it not a plant for near walkways. Besides being a Far Left-Grass border at Kew Gardens, England Left-Miscanthus sinensis 'Zebrinus' Above- Misca nthus sinensis 'Variega ta'

hazardous plant on which to attempt division, it also does not respond well, preferring to be left undisturbed. For northern gardens where pampas grass will not survive, an excellent substitute is plume grass, Erianthus ravennae. Like the pampas grass, it is tall and stately with large white to beige inflorescences persisting into winter. Its form is perhaps not quite as attractive, at least not as compact. It is more open with the inflorescence culms wide-spreading. It can be used very effectively as a vertical specimen in the landscape with a bit of careful staking. The foliage becomes buff in winter, retaining its form, and can be removed in spring just before new growth begins. M iscanthus sinensis, Chinese silver grass, and its cul­ tivars, are also of value in winter, and can be treated in the same way. All of the cultivars are easily available, sometimes in fields along the roadside. 'Gracillimus' has the finext texture w ith its foliage forming graceful clumps topped by interesting inflorescences of a 11 salmon-beige coloration in fall. After the first frost, the tally as a ground cover where an evergreen would be pre­ many finger-like projections of the inflorescence curl ferred. In the border it should be kept from encroaching and take on a buff and very soft appearance which is upon its less vigorous neighbors. It does make an excel­ magnificent against the blue sky. Without extreme lent container plant and will tolerate very moist areas in winds and heavy rains they last into the new year. If cut the garden. early they make lovely additions to dried arrangements Some of the most ornamental and interesting grasses with the natural tones often emphasized in interior de­ have a variegated foliage, most with white, cream, oryel­ sign. low combined with green. A few combine with pink or Another grass which is ornamental in its dried state purple. indoors and out is Pennisetum alopecuroides. Its common A delicate variegated grass is Molinia caerulea 'Var­ name, fountain grass, aptly describes its graceful flow­ iegata'. Its narrow leaves are finely striped with yellow ing mound-like form. The leaves are fine textured and a and form a small eight inch tufted clump which is par­ medi urn green. The inflorescences resemble soft bottle­ ticularly nice in a rock garden. It is also useful for bed­ brushes which are held just above the foliage. Their color ding designs or in containers. is usually beige with a slight tinge of rosy-purple. Foun­ Two cultivars of Miscanthus sinensis are outstanding. tain grass is one of the most versatile of the ornamental Both have leaves with a combination of cream and green grasses for landscape purposes because of its medium and grow to four feet with the same upright arching height of two to three feet and its retention of form into form. The leaves of'Variegatus' are striped as are most the winter. It makes a welcome addition to the middle plants with the stripes running the length of the leaf. ground of the herbaceous perennial border garden, an 'Zebrinus' is unusual with its variegation in horizontal excellent plant for bedding designs, a particularly in­ bands. Both are excellent specimens in any landscape teresting specimen near water where its form repeats the planting or useful in the background of the border or in flow. It can be well used in masses as a contrast to ground containers. covers on banks or in other sunny areas. There are many annual grasses which have value and There are a number of grasses which are particularly can be tried and varied from year to year. One which I valued for their foliage color. Most grasses are shades of would choose first is Lagurus ovatus. This grass is known green but others offer a considerable range of colors. as rabbit's tail grass, a name which aptly describes its Three grasses with blue foliage coloration which are soft fuzzy appearance. It is lovely in the garden for only a easily obtainable and suited to a variety of garden uses short time. Its foliage dies immediately after it flowers in are Festuca glauca , blue fescue, Helictotrichon sempervi­ July. The flowers, however, can be saved for many years. rens, blue oats, and Elymus arenarius, lyme grass. Blue They dry and dye very well. To save the flowers of any fescue is one of the few evergreen ornamental grasses. Its grass it is best to cut them just as they open. They can be leaves are fine, threadlike, in compact tufts. It grows to hung to dry or placed in a vase to obtain a graceful curve. eight inches, but its feathery panicles, which are also Some, such as pampas grass or the Miscanthus cultivars, blue, reach a height of fourteen inches in May. It is fre­ will benefit from spraying with a lacquer hair spray to quently used as an edging plant and is ideal for contain­ keep them intact longer. ers or bedding designs. Blue fescue is also an excellent All these grasses have similar cultural requirements. plant for rock garden plantings - its color blends so well They prefer a sunny location and, all but Elymus, a well­ with the grey tones of many rocks. Because it is ever­ drained soil. There are other grasses which will grow in green it can be used effectively as a ground cover for gen­ water. They will tolerate some shade but their form will erallandscape use. become less compact and therefore less attractive. Flow­ Blue oats grass makes another good companion plant ering will also be reduced with a decrease in light. Fer­ in a blue-toned planting. Both combine well with blue tilization is not required except with extremely infertile rug juniper, deodara cedar, and purple-flowered Sibe­ soils. A very rich soil will encourage a loose, open, less rian iris. Blue oats grass is somewhat taller than blue fes­ attractive growth. Most of the perennials require divi­ cue and not reliably evergreen. Some winters it turns sion as the center of the clump dies. For some this will be buff-colored, but retains its form. The foliage is in stiff as frequently as every three years; for others such as the tufts to eighteen inches with open blue panicles in May pampas grass not at all. The annuals and many peren­ reaching to three feet. nials can be grown from commercially available seed. The most intense blue of all the grasses is Elymus Peren-nials are also available as plants from several grow­ arenarius. It was much admired by Gertrude Jeckyll who ers which will result in a more immediate effect in the is noted for her contribution to perennial border design. landscape and usually earlier flowering. She considered foliage to be as important as flowers, These grasses are only a small sample of ornamentals thus highly valued the blue of Elymus. It forms eighteen suitable for gardens. There are varieties of every height inch tall masses, has an irregular spreading growth habit and color for every cultural condition and type of garden. and is one of the most invasive grasses. Unfortunately, it Grasses create soft sound, gentle motion, and fine tex­ 12 is without winter interest and not well used ornamen- tured beauty. Why not give them a try? Our Wild fusfern ffeasures

Martha Prince 9 Winding Way Locust Valley, NY 11560

The most joyous imaginable first introduction of a city gardener need not be a botanist to see the difference. The gardener to a wild azalea would take place on a June day smaller of the two groups is section Rhodora (Hortus III), in the lovely mountains of western North Carolina. The listed in most books as section or subseries Canadense . azalea would be the Flame (Rhododendron cal en­ These flowers have the five petals of all azaleas, but the dulaceum) , reigning monarch of our native eastern upper three are grouped together; there is little or no species. "Calendula" means marigold, and the name fits corolla tube, and the stamens number seven or ten. The well. Colors vary from palest yellows through sun-bright larger group is called section Pentanthera (the same as its oranges to firecracker red. For such an introduction, Na­ subgenus) in Hortus III, but you will find it more often as ture provides, as background, a celebration of color. The subseries Luteum. Here are five quite separate petals or Catawba Rhododendron (R. catawbiense) is in full lobes (the upper one often wider, blotched, and some­ display-pale pinks, soft lavenders, magenta. The times ruffled), the corolla tube is long and definite, and Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia) parades its intricate the stamens number five. buds and flowers in pure white, in the usual calico, and At this point comes the further division into species; in red-bud forms worthy of selective propagation. On at this point, also, the taxonomists begin arguing! grey rock ledges, clumps of blazing Fire Pink (Silene vir­ America has seventeen species, or fifteen, or sixteen. ginica) look down on yellow heads of Evening Primrose " Someday these will be further divided", or, "Someday (Oenothera biennis), creamy plumes of Goatsbeard these will be further grouped." What is really important (Aruncus dioicus) and the peculiar pink of Beardtongue to grasp is that our azaleas form a shifting, hybridizing (Penstemon canescens) . As an artist, Nature here splashes population, the shift going far back in time, yet continu­ colors with an abandon and a gaiety quite alien to the ing today. The bees have been promiscuous too often for small garden. Her background, however, is the soft and any neat and permanent taxonomy. Sometimes a species endless blue of the jumbled mountains. As painter, Na­ has been listed as valid, then dismissed (for example, ture heralded Miro and Matisse. David Leach proved quite conclusively that a lovely pink Our city gardener, meeting a native azalea for the first called furbushii was a recent hybrid). No matter what I time in such a setting, could but come away bedazzled. I write, I am sure to be questioned! know. I, myself, grew up in azalea-country, but I have a All but one of our species are eastern; I will write only city-bred Yankee husband. He was already a member of of these for they are the ones I know. Together, these the American Rhododendron Society, and a knowledge­ azaleas give us woodland treasures from Maine to north­ able gardener, when I first showed him the Flame azalea ern Florida, varying in color, in fragrance, in growth at-home-in-the-mountains. His reaction was a simple, habit, in blooming time. No one botanist, no one flower unbelieving "Wow." Nature provides no equivalent lover, could adequately explore them all in a lifetime. spectacle anywhere else in our eastern American wild­ I present the azaleas in a simplified arrangement, of land. necessity. Most writers group them by color, or by What are our native azaleas? All azaleas are of the blooming time, or by geography. Each of these ap­ genus Rhododendron; Hortus III lists them as a subgenus, proaches can be confusing. Under a "Pink" you may Pentanthera. In standard reference books on azaleas you note" "One of the best forms for the garden is white." will find subgenus Anthodendron instead, or (Simplest Blooming time depends on locality. A geographical list- for the non-botanist) just series Azalea. All are members ing stating that" R. prunifolium is a native of a very small of the Heath family (Ericaceae), and as such are cousins area in midwest Georgia and mideast Alabama" might to multitudes of plants from blueberries to Trailing Ar­ lead one to believe a New York gardener should ignore butus. The subgenus, or series, is next divided into sec­ it. (Plants of R. prunifolium survived the brutal northern tions (Hortus III), or subseries; we have representatives winter of 1976-77 with flower buds bravely intact). I will of two. Both are deciduous. They are quite distinct, and a merely list them alphabetically, under the two subseries, 13 or section, groupings. Also, I do not adhere rigidly to invalid). As with its northern cousin, the upper three Hortus III. I discussed this with Dr. Henry Skinner, (he petals are grouped, but not tightly so, and both species very knowledgeable former Director of our National Ar­ have no corolla tube. Whereas the Rhodora has ten boretum. He agreed that some nomenclature as used stamens, Pinks hell has seven. Color? A good soft pink with a hint of green in the throat and a sprinkling of paprika-red dots at the base of the upper petals. An ex­ cellent cultivar is 'White Find' ,-the dots being green on snowy petals. One peculiarity of R. vaseyi is that it does not hybridize. It blooms at about the same time at home in its mountains or in a New York garden-May l. Next, we turn to section Pentanthera (or, subseries Luteum), which is the larger grouping and much more familiar to us as "looking like azaleas". The species R. luteum itself comes from near the Black Sea, another species comes from China, and another from Japan. The vagaries of botanical geography are fascinating! What a history of the physical world could be told by th@ dis­ tribution of plantlife ... the spreading and r@c@ding of the glaciers, perhaps the drift of continents. R. alabamense is a rare little azalea, pure white with a yellow blotch in the typical form. Alabama Azalea is its only common name. In its very localized home (part of Alabama and west central Georgia) it perfumes the air could be confusing. Name changes will take a long, long with a really delightful lemon scent. It is a stoloniferous time to filter into the vocabularies of most garden­ plant, and spreads over the low hills. As with most ers .... By then, it may be time for a new Hortus, and a whites, some forms are pink-ting@d, probably from liv­ new language. I know that I, at least, cannot suddenly ing too near R. canescens, so bees could exchange pollen. call an old friend by a different name! In Alabama, it blooms about May 10. My bloom dates for I begin with the smaller, and less familar-Iooking, sec­ Long Island are nearer the 20th. Plants here bloomed tion Rhodora (or subseries Canadense.) The nearest rela­ well after a rough winter. tives of these azaleas are Japanese. R. arborescens is the Sweet Azalea, and sweet it is. R. canadense is the Rhodora of New England poets. Books insist on calling the fragrance "heliotrope", but I, Emerson's words, "Beauty is its own excuse for being" for one, have nev@r smelled heliotrope. The florets are were written about this small and much loved little very star-like in form, and the white is accented by a red style. Often all the filaments are pink, and sometim@sthe flower. Some may call it scraggly, and even of poor color corolla tube and the bud tips. In hybridizing it "throws (the range is from a pale pinkish lavender to deeper pink", as they say. I have been sent a photograph of a shades of almost-magenta; there is also a lovely white). If good clear pink flower, but I have not actually seen it. My you find it nestled in the crevices of grey granite, along favorite plants are a group of pink-tube ones, with very Maine's coast, or filling a bog between the dark spruce large flowers, growing in the Nantahala Mountains of trees, you can only call it perfect. It is low (as low as one North Carolina. In height, R. arborescens is medium to foot in height in windswept spots, or three in bogs), tall. Locale? Georgia all the way to Pennsylvania, at least. twiggy, and the distinctive grey-green of the leaves I have photographed North Carolina mountain blossoms comes after the flowers. The three upper petals are only on June 20, and Long Island garden ones during the first separate at the very tips, and are speckled in a darker three weeks of July. color. In Maine, the bloomtime is the first week of June. R. atlanticum, called the Coastal Azalea, is another The natural habitat extends down to New Jersey. In a white -which-is-sometimes-quite-pink. It is coastal, Long Island garden, where it is not native, I have found going all the way up from South Carolina to New Jersey. an approximate date of one month earlier. R. atlanticum is aggressively stoloniferous, and one plant R. vaseyi is known in its North Carolina home as the can grow to cover a huge area. As a very low azalea, it Pinkshell Azalea. Years ago it was not considered an could be used to advantage in facing-down woodland 14 azalea at all, but had a genus name of its own, Biltia (long areas in gardens, but it has not been much planted. In Far Left-R. speciosum Above-R. canadense 'Rhodora' Below- R. arborescens

The name was first given to plants found near Wolfpen Gap in the Georgia mountains; the area is only about thirty bird-flight miles from my home in Georgia, in a place I frequented as a child. I must have assumed, as did everyone else, that the bright azaleas were Flame. The colors are at the redder end of the Flame spectrum, but they vary. Also, they hybridize much more freely; there are many fine pinks which the bees bequeathed us. R. bakeri is, in general, a lower plant, stoloniferous, and la ter- blooming. The really positive identification is by microscope; R. bakeri has the normal number of chromo­ somes, and the Flame Azalea has a double set. Blooming time? At Wolfpen Gap, and on into the 3000 foot areas in North Carolina, approximately June 15; at one of the most glorious areas, Gregory Bald in the Great Smokies, July 1. The azalea grows into Tennessee and Kentucky. In Long Island gardens, it blooms at about the same time, sometimes saving its burst of firecrackers for July Fourth. R. ca lendulaceum has to be the queen of them all . Are you familiar with the color fans of the Royal Horticultural Society? If you are, open the red-yellow fan to show the full range of colors from number 11 to number 44. The array is truly astonishing! I recently had to testify before the United States Forest Service in Washington, against clear-cut lumbering of a large area of the Nantahala Mountains; one of my "exhibits" was the opened fan. I have color catalogued as many as thirty-five distinctly different R. calendulaceum in two days, in those moun­ tains. I began this article with a "poem" to my favorite flower; I will add no more adjectives. The Flame Azalea is a tall plant (up to fifteen feet) . Botanically, the most interesting feature is that it is the only one of our eastern South Carolina, it blooms about the end of April; Long azaleas in the Luteum subseries which is tetraploid. That Island dates are not much later,-early to mid May. means there are twice the usual number of chromo­ R. austrinum is known as the Florida Azalea, although somes; as chromosomes come in pairs (and the azalea it grows all the way to Mississippi, near the Gulf Coast. number is 13), 2N = 52. This accounts for the variety; the This is a lovely yellow-blooming shrub, and one of the genetic "pool" is enormous. Until recently it had been early signs of a bright spring in the South. The flowers thought that R. calendulaceum had two separate are not large, but are very showy, indeed. Often pure " phases" . One group was low-elevation, early­ yellow, it also has forms with red corolla tubes, which blooming, and larger. A recent study in depth by Dr. are even more gay. At "home," its blooming compan­ Frank Willingham seems to have proved this theory in­ ions, in late March, are the pink and white forms of R. correct. His study found all botanical characteristics ran­ canescens. The garden photographs I have taken on Long domly distributed, whether the azalea grew high in the Island have been in mid-May; unhappily, the plants I mountains, or lower. At 5000 feet to 6000 feet in North know here died in the bad winter of 1976-77. Carolina, the bloom is best at about June 20, and on Long R. bakeri is also called the Cumberland Azalea. It is Island it is the same. The Cherokee Indians had a won­ usually red, and is one of the most recently classified. derful name for the Flame Azalea, "Sky Paint Flower." 15 William Bartram called it " the most gay and brilliant ever its name, the flowers are at their lovely best here on flo wering shrub yet known." Long Island (it is not native) about the first of June. R. canescens (the Piedmont Azalea) is probably the R. serrulatum is also called Hammocksweet, and is most abundant of all our azaleas. Masses of its pink blos­ another southerner. It is a white, with a very long corolla soms grow all over the lower South, from Georgia, upper tube and small flowers. In range, it grows from the Florida, west to eastern Texas. A typical flower is a deep palmetto-country of mid-Florida, up through the Sea Is­ pink in its tube color, and pale pink in the petals or lobes. land area of coastal Georgia, and westward to southern R. can escens is an early bloomer; you will find it by about Mississippi. The virtue, to gardeners, is the lateness of March 20 in its southernmost home. On Long Island, a the flowering; an average blooming date in its native garden plant may be at its best around May 5 to 10. area would be mid-July. I have a friend who grows a late R. nudiflorum (the Pinxterbloom, or "pink hon­ form en masse with a late form of R. prunifolium, for his eysuckle" to the farmers), has had a name-change de­ last azalea display. Here on Long Island, my photos are creed by Hortus III. It has been decided that Michaux's dated August 15 . Unhappily, the plant proved unable to periclymenoides takes precedence. The problem is that cope with the winter of 1976-77. this does not appear even as a synonym elsewhere. Bar­ R. speciosum , the Oconee Azalea, is another victim of tram used A. nuda. By any name, however, it is a lovely name-change. Hortus III gives precedence to Michaux's plant. In appearance it is quite similar to R. canescens , flammeum. Michaux discovered the plant on the Savan­ but a more northern counterpart. It can be found in nah River (1787), and his name for it is at least given as a white (as can R. canescens), and Dr. Skinner once re­ synonym in most available reference books; this " new" ported a purple one with a yellow blotch. Plants grow as name will thus probably be easy for us to use. The colors far north as New England. On Long Island it is native, of R. speciosum are similar to R. calendulaceum . The although it is hard to find nowadays. I have bloom-dates range, however, is very restricted,-part of central on it here from May 5 (on some photographs) to May 20 Georgia and down along the river. In its native area, the (Planting Fields Arboretum). flowers should open by May 1. On Long Island, the R. oblongifolium (the Texas Azalea), is an inconspicu­ blooms appear nearer the 20th; I have photographed it ous white, so similar to R . viscosum that some here, but it is not reliably hardy. taxonomists would argue its inclusion. It grows in its R. viscosum (Swamp Azalea) is a whIte, fragrant azalea name-state, in Arkansas, even in Oklahoma, and blooms which seems to grow anywhere. It can be found from in June. Maine to Georgia (and from mountain top to bog). Al­ R. punifolium, called the Plumleaf Azalea, is a rare though the flowers are not conspicuous, a warm summer treasure from a tiny area on the central Georgia-Alabama sun on a massed planting of them brings a pleasant spic­ border. The plant is very handsome, with the leaves fully iness to the air. The petals are so sticky (glandular) that opened when the blossoms are. The red flowers resem­ they are unpleasant to touch. Boggy areas near the shore ble those of R. bakeri in many ways, but it is a very late on Long Island are full of them . . .. but so are mountain bloomer. Around Fort Gaines, Georgia, different plants tops in North Carolina. On Long Island, the bloom-date may spread the flowering season all the way from the is late July. end of June until the first of October. I have photo­ As you notice, I have used little in the way of botanical graphed some garden plants here on Long Island on July terminology; there is just one " clue" used in botanical Fourth,-bright fireworks for the celebration. Planting "keys" which I recommend all gardeners learn, for the Fields has listed their bloom-dates for me at August 1 to sheer pleasure of it. Keys will say that the corolla tube is 15. " glandular" or " eglandular" . Glands are little round R. roseum, the lovely Roseshell Azalea growing from p.inheads on the ends of setae, or hairs. The glands give Virginia northward, has been demoted by Hortus III to a the stickiness to the R. viscosum , which I just discussed. variety of R. periclymenoides. I am afraid I will go right on How to see them? A x8 flat-surfaced little hand magnifier calling it R. roseum! It is pink, too, but has a shorter is my accompanist in the field; a good one should not corolla tube (and wider) . It has not only been demoted, cost more than ten dollars, and will give you much plea­ but an earlier name now takes precedence; correctly, it is sure, and a new look at the world of flowers. The glands now R. periclymenoides var. prinophyllum. In range, it on R. serrulatum are glistening diamonds on the tips of blooms from Virginia west to Ohio and Illinois, and all icicles; on R. calendulaceum you may find that the glands the way north to southern Quebec. The new classifica­ are rubies. Of what practical use is this? If you are in tion presents Hortus III with one botanical difficulty; I North Carolina in early May, and find a pink azalea, first will explain what glandular means when I finish this list­ decide if it fits into the Luteum or Canadense subseries. If ing; as of now the description of the former R. nudiflorum Luteum; there are only two choices,-if there are glands, has to say "Tubes variably glandular". R. nudiflorum, as the flower is R. roseum (with apologies to Hortus III) . If we previously knew it, was not glandular; R. roseum was there are no glands, you have R. nudiflorum (R . peri­ (and R. periclymenoides var. prinophyllum is) . Do I sound clymenoides) . These are hairs, yes, but they rather re­ unduly upset? I am! I almost feel I am defending a very semble a pink fur coat when I project a close-up slide on 16 beautiful friend against an army of taxonomists. What- the screen! If you want to grow these charmers, whether you plan age, satisfy most requirements. Some seem more a wild garden or want a few specimens, you will be hap­ "fussy" than others (R . prunifolium for instance), but R. pily rewarded. I have seenR. calendulaceum and R. nudif­ viscosum will tolerate practically anything. lorum doing well in a Maine garden beside the native I admi t to loving our native azaleas with what amounts Rhodora. New York is just about borderline for includ­ to a passion. My husband and I go south every June to ing all, but it can be done, with protection for some. photograph and study the Flame Azaleas; we head north However, if hardiness is wanted, leave out R. austrinum, (to Maine) at the beginning of the same month for the R . speciosum, and R. canescens; established plants of sole purpose of photographing Rhodora. Last summer, these species did not survive in 1976-77. There would Maine was in a sodden week of rain and fog. We are also be little point in trying R. serrulatum or R. oblon­ stubborn photographers, however. My husband held gifolium when the native R . viscosum, which is similar, my red slicker over the camera while I took pictures. I got does so well. If your garden lies much to the south of wet-he, camera, and flowers fared beautifully. In North New York, forget Rhodora, but begin adding the others. Carolina, I have been atop a slippery steep bank, only to A Virginia garden should have virtually unlimited be hailed by a ranger, "What the hell are you doing up choice (except for Rhodora). If you live in southern there, lady?" Georgia, you have lovely local species, which would We enjoy it all,-the scenery, the adventures, the make a beautiful garden even without any others. In learning. I am sure equal joy awaits flower adventurers Florida, the farther south you are the more you must on other quests, but we still chase William Bartram's omit .. . in southern Florida I would not even try R. " fiery azalea" . We will never find the ones he first saw, austrinum, but would settle for R . serrulatum alone. by the way. "Progress" encroaches on everything; the If you are presently growing any of the deciduous hy­ plants bearing the flaming blossoms about which he was brids (Exbury, Knaphill, et cetera) you are already grow­ so ecstatic vanished deep beneath the water of the Clark ing decscendants of our native wildlings. American Hill Resevoir, near Elberton, Georgia. We must find our azaleas can shine as brilliantly as their titled offspring! own! All are acid-loving plants, doing best in the same condi­ I hope I have shared some of my pleasure with you. If tions you would choose for any azaleas. Dappled shade, so,- " Bon Voyage" . An azalea quest is a never-ending a pH of 5 to 6, humus-rich soil, moisture but good drain- one.

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Easy to grow, tough , adaptable, Soon, specialists crossed the two have cold frames. They are inexpen­ hardy, disease and insect resistant, pansy types (Show and Fancy) to in­ sive and easy to construct. In Jim with long flower production , the pansy crease the many strains available to­ Crockett's fine book, "Victory Gar­ is truly a remarkable plant day. den", there is the best and most Pansies are short-lived peren­ simple design for construction of The pansy is a universal favorite, nials, best grown as biennials cold frames I have seen. and as an early spring flowering (grown one year and flowered the It is important to note that some border and bedding plant it has few next). Today many are grown as an­ fine seed mixtures contain beautiful peers. nuals by greenhouse growers and giant flowers not quite hardy Many gardeners don't realize how are offered for sale in the spring. enough to withstand the cold out­ hardy most strains are. One, the Ice These are small plants grown in flats side conditions. In cold frames they Pansy, will even bloom under the with small root systems. will develop with no losses. snow. It now is almost impossible to find Without a cold frame, the next The word "pansie", a corruption local pansy growers who have big best method is to plant the small of the French " pensee", meaning field-grown plants for sale in the seedlings directly in the beds or thought, first appeared in literature borders where they are to bloom the early spring, or even the finer and in 1587. John Gerrard, an English following spring. This must be done larger plants which are wintered in surgeon and plant collector, used it in early or mid-September, and al­ to describe a small wild violet which cold frames . These plants were lows three months of growth and grew as a weed in th e cool common 20 or 30 years ago. The cost root development before the winter grainfields of Europe. Its purple, of seed, labor and soil preparation freeze . white-ish blue and yellow-colored makes this practice unprofitable to­ Pansies are grown from Nova flowers prompted the name Viola day. Scotia and northern Canada to tricolor. The pansy, although quite A good pansy plant should be southern areas near the Equator in different in size and form, is as­ judged by the size of its root system, high and cooler altitudes. In the sumed to have developed from this not just the size of the plant above southern states and California they wild violet. Its botanical name is ground or the beauty of its flowers. may bloom throughout the winter Viola tricolor hortensis. The pansy grown as a biennial, and spring months with no harm. The first attempt to improve the sown in late July, transplanted to Occasional freezes seem only to small pansy of the day was done in cold frames for wintering, has much harden them. The hot summers in England about 1812. Lord Gambier, more time to develop larger roots the mid-west are fatal to pansies, al­ his gardener, Thompson, and the than any other growing method. In though the Fl hybrids developed by daughter of Lord Tankerville, are my latitude of zero and sub-zero Sakata, of Japan, are said to with­ credited with selection and cross temperatures, the plants will be in stand heat and sun and to continue breeding to produce a new pansy good bloom under the sash by early blooming well into July. with face-like markings and perfec­ or mid-March, even though they The best growing location is a tion of colors. It was called the Show have been frozen down in the frame sunny one but where there is protec­ Pansy and was the "rage of garden during the cold months. Using a tion during mid-day heat. Pansies fanciers" by 1840. trowel, they should be lifted out should get all the morning and late Over the years pansy breeders in with soil intact and transplanted to afternoon sun possible. Initially, my Scotland, Switzerland, France, Bel­ the outside bed or border as early in plants do well with all day sun fac­ gium, Germany and other European March as the ground is workable. ing south, but perish by the second countries, using the English stock, They will have two more months of week of July. The long blooming produced the giant flowering variet­ frost which they can easily stand period of more than three months is ies . .These were called the Fancy without harm: frozen £rat on the very satisfactory. types. They produced new flower gfOund in the early morning freeze These plants are cool-loving, colors with dark center blotches and and up and looking normal before heavy feeders, requiring substantial a velvety texture. Each country de­ noon. By mid-April they will be in amounts of water and a loose fibrous veloped many different sizes, forms spectacular display. growing medium. The soil where and colors. Every serious gardener should the plants are to grow should be 19 prepared well in advance. It should March 21st. There were 700 plants, cess drain away at the bottom. The be made loose and friable with the three rows deep, in a long border seed can now be sown evenly and addition of compost, peat moss, facing south and full sun. By the thinly on the surface. Cover very well-rotted manure, and sand. second week in April there were lightly by sifting fine peat moss, These additives should be spaded in hundreds of blooms with no dam­ sand, or the same soil mixture. to the depth of eight or ten inches. If age by repeated hard frosts which Sprinkle lightly. More failures are the plaats are to stay outside would continue for the next six caused by covering seeds too deeply through the winter, it is wise to raise weeks. Even though the plants were than any other factor. A good rule of the beds three or four inches to en­ small, they made a fine show for thumb for any seed is to cover no sure drainage during the cold, wet over three months. The point here is more than twice the diameter of the period. to get pansies planted as early in the seed. Use up to four or five hundred After a month of heavy bloom, the spring as possible. They need a seeds to a flat. Place the flat in a plas­ plants will have exhausted most of short hardening process before tic sleeve and cover the top surface the food in the soil and fertilizer planting and should not be taken di­ with dark cloth or paper. Pansies must be added and watered in. rectly from the relative warmth of a germinate better in darkness. The Now a word about mulches or greenhouse when they are still ten­ plastic sleeve will ensure moisture winter cover. After outside plants der. to the seed until germination. are frozen, they should be covered The pansy seed packets available An older, but excellent, way is to lightly with any loose material in garden centers contain about a cover the wet seeded flat with a which will not smother them. A very hundred and fifty seeds at a cost of water-soaked piece of burlap, cut to light cover of straw is satisfactory. approximately 50 cents. For the most fit the surface of the flat. Check the Excelsior, I think, is the best because part they are mixtures of good vari­ flat several times daily and lightly it will not pack down and allows eties, chosen well by the seed com­ sprinkle through the burlap if dry. plenty of air circulation. Small ever­ panies. Forty or fifty plants from 150 The seeds must be kept moist. green branches of pine or spruce are seeds would be a very good average Either way, the flat should be on a useful as a cover also . as all seeds do not germinate. There shaded, level surface. Seeds will . Mulches are used to keep the are approximately 20,000-24,000 germinate in seven to twelve days. ground frozen and prevent frequent pansy seeds to the ounce, depend­ Temperature is important and freezing and thawing, which will ing on the size of the flower type. If should be 60 - 65 degrees minimum. heave the plant upward, break its one desires several hundred plants, Nighttime temperature of 75 de­ tap root and kill it. Snow is a good he can buy seed by fractions of the grees will cause the seed to rot-a mulch and rarely injures pansies. If ounce. One-sixteenth of an ounce, problem in the south. As soon as you have a snow covering all winter, 1,500 seeds; one-eighth ounce,3,OOO seedlings show, the covering should you need no other mulch. Mulches seeds, etc. The strain chosen should be removed and the flats given a should be removed as early as pos­ contain an abundance of yellows, place with good air circulation and s.ible in the spring. blues and light colors which make a gradual exposure to the sun. Water­ One can also buy small plants at much better show than the Fancy ing should be limited. garden centers in the spring, but be types which generally have darker Depending on the latitude and lo­ careful: many centers do not get colors. cality, seeding should be done from them from the grower early enough. Flats, 20" x 13" X 31/2", or shallow early July to early August. A good The plants usually arrive with the boxes, 3" or 4" deep, are excellent for rule of thumb: two and a half tender annuals; by this time it is too seed planting. Seed can also be months before the average date of late to plant pansies. sown directly in the beds or borders the first fall frost. Keeping the seed­ About March 1st last year, I found where they are to bloom, or in cold lings a little on the dry side will small plants in flats, well grown as frames . For seeding in flats, any stimulate the roots to reach lower annuals, in a small greenhouse truck good garden soil is satisfactory. It moisture levels in the soil. This, and garden concern. They had been should be made loose and light by sufficient light, will keep them from seeded in December, grown cool, the addition of peat moss and sand. getting leggy and weak. and for the last week or two, had The soil should be thoroughly Transplanting to beds, borders, or been placed in a plastic house with­ mixed and made uniform by screen­ cold frames should be done when out heat and left dry to the point of ing through a coarse wire screen. the seedlings have at least six to wilting. This procedure " hardened Add a handful of steamed bone eight leaves. In transplanting, off" the plants and prepared them to meal to the soil in each flat, but no spread the roots and place the base stand freezes outside without harm. other fertilizer. Fill the flat within a of the plant exactly level with the I planted them on March 10th five or half inch of the top and firm or tamp soil's surface, firming each plant six inches apart (because of their down with a brick or wooden block. gently with both hands. The soil 20 small size). First blooms appeared Water in thoroughly and let the ex- should be loose and not too wet. Planting too deep stunts the plant. Too shallow planting results in a misshapen, floppy and weak plant. Pansies should be watered im ­ mediately after transplan ting and protected from hot all-day sun for a day or two. Throughout the blooming season, faded and spent flowers should b e picked off at the base of the stem, not the base of the flower. This pre­ vents the formation of seeds and keeps the plant blooming. Water frequently . Sprinkling foliage and flowers with the hose in late after­ noon or early evening is beneficial during hot days. Please rush me Test Tube Babi es at the Spraying will also wash off red pre-market price of only $6.95 each. spider mites which arrive with hot ~arne ______weather. They like pansy plants and can kill them if not controlled. Mites Address ______are found on the under surface of the leaves and are difficult to eradicate. City ______State.______Mite-infected plants show minute Zip Phone ______white spotting and loss of green color and substance. Systemic insec­ Charge Card # ______ticides are your best control. Ask Send check. money order or your Master Charge or Bank your local nurseryman for advice. I Americard (indicate number above) to Natural Distributors. I Dept.AH 3615 S. W. 52nd Ave .• Hollywood. Fla. 33023 .J Pansy wilt disease is still a mys­ L tery and causes sudden death of the ------plant. Sterilizing the soil is a preven­ tative, but sterilizing beds and bor­ ders around the home is almost im­ possible. Thomas Jefferson: Landscape Architect There are so many name varieties By Frederick D. Nichols and Ralph E. Griswold of pansies and so many types and strains available, space does not 6 x 9K 192 pp. (approx.), illus., bibliog., index. allow naming or describing them (Thomas J effe rson Memorial Foundation) $9.75 here. I should mention the great Careful study and a natural ingenuity in landscape design made standards of the past and present: J efferson a pioneer in l a nd ~ca p e architecture in this country. This the Swiss Roggli Giants, which volume prese nts a clear and detailed interpretat.ion of his extraordi­ some authorities say is II a strain by nary accomplishments in this fi eld. Eighteenth- and nineteenth-cen­ which all others are judged" ; tury maps, plans, and drawings, as well as pictures of the species of Geneva Giants, Engleman's Giants, trees which Jefferso n used for his designs, ge nerously illustrate this Maple Leaf Giants, Canadian discuss ion. J efferson's influence on the overall design of the District Giants, Oregon Giants (which of Columbia, his careful planning of house and grounds at Monticello, might well be the largest of all, five his unique plans for the University of Virginia, and his familiarity inches or more in diameter); Steele's with European horticulture and horticulturists are treated in detail Jumbos and Butterfly Hybrids, Fl by the authors. and F2 hybrids , Trimardeau' s French type, etc. All interested gardeners should send for catalogues offered by our seed companies and read the fas­ University Press of Virginia cinating descriptions of the many Box 3608 University Station types and mixtures. You may want Charlottesville, VA 22903 to try them all . ~ ______~21

R. erosum-N ew growth . Insert-'Virginia Richards' Rhododendrons br All America

Ted Va/ I Veen Ted Van Veel1 Nursery 4201 S. E. Fral1klin St. Portlan d, OR 97206

Perha ps the excellen tach ieve­ By far the most important requis­ In the b reakdown of a raw organic ment of rhododendron bree ders in ite for a successful rhododendron material such as bark, excessive nit­ producing plants with greater stress planting is the soil. Fibrous roots rogen is required. The planting mix tolerances, as well as adding to the cannot penetrate a heavy clay condi­ should be supplemented by adding beauty of form and flower, is no t tion. Requiring extra oxygen, the ammonium sulfate at the rate of one fully understood and appreciated. fine roots grow upward and out­ pound perone hundred square feet. Many areas of our country n ever ward from th e rhododendro n . Since the roots of a rhododendron would have known the rhododen­ Compacted soil, deep plan ting, or grow close to the surface of the soil a dron without the developed vigor of too much s tanding water, will de­ hoe never should be used to remove the hybrid. On the whole, hybrids prive the roots of oxygen and snuff weeds and grasses. A 3/1 or 4/1 mulch are accommodating plants with elas­ out the life of the plant. Therefore, of coarse bark or pine needles will tic constitutions. rhododendrons should be planted at reduce the weed population, main­ How often many of us have tried the surface of a li ght soil mix suffi­ tain a moderately cool and moist to uproot a native plant from the ciently porous to maintain a pleas­ root system, and provide winter wild, carefully transplant it in our antly moist root zone . Yellow leaves protection. garden , only to fail! The wild and other signs of distress, often Shelter from drying winds and ex­ rhododendron, accustomed to com­ blamed on too much or too little fer­ cessive direct sunligh t is the second forts of its environment in the tilizer, alkaline soil , or salt damage, most important requisite for a suc­ mountains, strongly resents harsh frequently are the result of poor soil cessful rhododendron planting. The urban surroundings. A dedicated aeration. evergreen leaves of a rhododendron diligence and persistence is re­ The greater part of our country, transpire water vapor continuously quired of a rhododendron breeder notably the South and Midwest, night and day even in subfreezing to draw out the best features from does not have an ideal native soil. temperatures. In general, larger the multitude of native s pecies Gaining wide acceptance is the leaves will desiccate more profusely around the world. Thousands of and will require more protection. principle of planting on top of the seedlings will have been generated Wind has the effect of increasing the ground, or using raised beds. In over years of selecting and testing rate of transpiration. A burned leaf before his goal is reached. other words, without digging a is the result of a plant's inability to Almost every garden in this coun­ hole, place the plant on the ground pump moisture at a sufficient rate try can reliably use rhododendron and mound up around the rootball a from the roots. A cold dry wind, hybrids. In extreme subzero cli­ created soil mix most conducive to likewise, will burn leaves when the mates one might be required to re­ good root growth. Generally, a bit of ground is frozen. so'rt to planter boxes transferable to a soil mixed with ground bark, oak lit­ A rhododendron planting with a garage during the cold season. A ter, pine needles, or forest humus, northern exposure or on a slope fac­ decorative container adorned with a will be satisfactory. To improve the ing north is ideal, assuming there is lovely rhododendron will enhance texture, some coarse peat moss may a wind shelter. An eastern exposure any patio. Tropical forms, some­ be added, but should never be a should be avoided in cold climates what unlike the typical rhododen­ major portion of the soil mix. Attrac­ where rapid thawing by morning dron, are becoming available for tive raised beds can be constructed sun will damage flower buds and outdoor culture in Hawaii, Califor­ using bricks, stones, treated leaves. Unless shaded, the south nia and central Florida. Or, these lumber, logs, uncreosoted railroad and the west are usually too warm in beauties may be grown in a ties, or simply by mounding in summer months. An overhead greenhouse anywhere. berm fashion. canopy of trees is excellent if the 23 shading is not too dense. Avoid bum,' 'English Roseum,' 'Everes­ might be found by asking your nur­ planting too close to the trunks of, or tianum,' 'Ignatius Sargent,' 'Mrs. seryman. Also, to clearly define under shallow-rooted trees. Charles S. Sargent,' 'Nova Zembla,' lines of separation between the var­ The American Rhododendron So­ 'Parsons Gloriosum,' 'Roseum Ele­ ious climatic zones would be im­ ciety publishes cold hardiness rat­ gans' and 'Windbeam.' practical and this final decision ings resulting from reports of mem­ Residents of the colder areas of must be left with the reader. bers residing in all sections of the New England should select from The coastal areas of New England country. Newer hybrids cannot be this list, but in addition they may up to Maine, blessed with more fa­ rated until sufficient experience has use 'P.J.M.,' ' Purple Gem' and vorable conditions, may use a con­ been gained. Important is the 'Ramapo.' The latter two, almost siderable number of additional va­ understanding that these ratings identical in flower color, small rieties including ' Beller Heller,' apply to a mature, established plant leaves and dwarf habit, do not per­ 'Blue Peter,' 'Chionoides,' 'County in good health and with only rea­ form well in warm climates. 'P.J.M.' of York, ' 'Dora Amateis,' ' Fas­ sonable protection provided. also is a smaller leaved variety of tuosum Plenum,' 'Gomer Waterer, Rhododendrons of proven cold lavender-pink flowers bursting 'Holden,' 'Ice Cube,' 'Janet Blair,' hardiness are genetically sturdy forth in early spring . A rich ' Mrs. Tom H . Lowinsky,' 'Pink plants and, likewise, generally are mahogany coloring decorates the Twins,' 'Scintillation,' 'Tony,' heat tolerant. As a consequence, foliage in the fall . 'P.J.M.' will thrive 'Wheatley' and wilsoni. some varieties can be grown in al­ and flower after enduring tempera­ Continuing on down the coast, most any section of our country tures as low as 30° below zero F. Long Island, through Philadelphia provided temperatures do not re­ The following rhododendron va­ and to Washington, D .C., some ex­ main below 25° F for a long period of riety recommendations by area are cellent selections are 'A. Bedford,' time. Some of these varieties, re­ not all-inclusive, and an effort is 'Blue Diamond,' ' Blue Ensign,' ferred to as ironclads, are ' Album made to list only those hybrids 'Cadis,' 'Cheer,' 'Cynthia,' daph­ Elegans,' ' America, ' 'Boule de which are generally available. Lim­ noides, 'Lord Roberts,' ' Madame Neige,' 'Caroline,' catawbiense 'AI- ited quantities of newer varieties Masson,' 'Mars,' 'Mrs. Furnival,'

"Lord & Burnham makes a truly fine greenhouse. It's the one I I ~.. ~ ~~ I chose for myself." / "A greenhouse is a very impor­ tant purcnase. You'll probably buy just one - as the fulfillment of a lifetime dream. That's why it really makes good sense to get the best - one that will last and give you years and years of gardening pleasure. That's why I chose Lord & Burn­ ham - both for my home and for my T.V. series Crockett's Victory Garden. Their product is excellent and has been for over 120 years. If you're thinking about buying a greenhouse, talk to Lord & Burnham first. I never seriously considered anyone else."

r------,I ~'1 LORD & BURNHAM I = Division Burnham Corporation = • IRVINGTON. N.Y. 10533 Dept. 8 I • I I NAME I Jim Crockett. Star of Crockett'S Victory Garden T.V. Series • ADDRESS I Author of the Time-Life Encyclopedia of Gardening II II CITY Send today for your copy of the new 1978 Lord & Burnham Catalog, • ZIP I Jim Crockett's personal guide to the finest greenhouses in America.• .:~i. ______• 24 myrtifo/ium, 'Purple Spendour,' use the same list mentioned for the Five big books 'Rocket,' 'Trilby' and 'Vulcan.' The coast of New England. This list also bright scarlet 'Jean Marie de Mon­ applies to areas close to the Great for the tagu' may be used in the more gentle Lakes from Buffalo to Detroit, and home gardener climates of this area, and those who the lower western coast of Michigan choose to try this hybrid will find it around to Chicago. A few miles in­ HOME LANDSCAPE most worthwhile. The same can be land immediately becomes Zone 4 The Art of Home Landscaping said of 'Unique,' a compact straw where only ironclad varieties should Revised an d Enlarged Edili on by Garrell Eck bo yellow, and 'Virginia Richards,' a be used. This includes the colder 320 pages, illustrated, $12.95 Mo re than 80 pages o f illus tratio ns-with proven pink-yellow bicolor with excellent areas of Pennsylvania, Ohio, In­ tec hniques for ac hieving pro fe ssio nal re s ults-are included in this re vised guide for the serious home foliage. diana, Michigan, Illinois, Missouri garde ner. Yo u' ll discover solutio ns to typi ca l home land scaping pro blems . .. 'tec hniques fo r land sc ape The next area is Richmond, and Kansas; and the southern parts pl anning th at include both ho use and lo t . .. prace· dUfes for convening a raw lo t or an old gard en int o a through the Piedmont Belt of North of Wisconsin, Iowa and Nebraska. s tunning ne w gard en . .. and much, much more. and South Carolina to Atlanta, and Except for ' P.I-M. ', only the more WILD FLOWERS OF THE then across southern Tennessee, venturesome should try outdoor NORTHEASTERN STATES northern Alabama, northern rhododendron plantings in Zone 3, sponsored by the New York Botanical Garden Wild Flowers 0/ the United States Mississippi to Little Rock. In addi­ the northern portions of the Mid­ Color Slide Series 40 color slides, 48 pages, $18.95 tion to the varieties previously men­ west and New England states. Cont aining 40 "up-close" slides in glorious color­ plus commentary and bl ack and white illustrations for tioned, use' Anah Kruschke,' 'Anna The ironclads have been used suc­ eac h fl ower- this delightful slide album covers the indigenous fl owers of the Northeast-from the Atlan­ Rose Whitney,' 'Antoon van Welie,' cessfully in the Rocky Mountain tic to Minnesota and from Canada to Virginia and Missouri . Projected on your home, schoo l, or club 'Betty Wormald,' 'Graf Zeppelin,' cities of Denver and Salt Lake City, screen, th ese truly magnificenl slides provide one of the most beautiful and luminous vi sual experiences 'Kluis Sensation,' 'Lady C. Mitford,' as well as the coast of Alaska. Again ever made avai lable 10 nalure lovers. 'Mother of Pearl,' 'Mrs. Betty Rob­ 'P.J.M.' is quite good. HOW TO FARM YOUR BACKYARD ertson,' 'Mrs. E. C. Stirling,' 'Pink The eastern areas of Oregon and THE MULCH-ORGANIC WAY Pearl,' 'Sappho' and ' Vulcan's Washington and the western strip of byMaxAlth 256 pages, illustrated, $9.95 Flame.' Idaho will do best with the New En­ Find o ut how you can get a bountiful return from your ve ge table garden without synthetic fertilizers or pes­ In addition to using raised beds, gland coast varieties. ticides. N atural ml!Jches are the answer-for every­ thing from soil deficiencies and pH imbalances to rhododendrons will be much more Rhododendrons are well known pesky insec ts. You'll increa se your garden's yield while doing less work your self. And you'll be delight­ successful in warm climates if most and most varieties, except the very ed by the additive-free, nutrition-packed results! of the soil is washed from the root­ tender sorts, do so well west of the THE POWER OF PLANTS ball before planting. This can be ac­ Cascade Mountains in Oregon and by Brendan Lehane 280 pages, 800 illustrations complished easily with a jet nozzle Washington that a variety list does - 320 in FULL color, $39.95 Plant s as vit al aspec ts of our phys ical and spiritual attachment on a garden hose. Sharp not seem necessary . The same life are ex pl o red in thi s fa scinating, tho ught­ provokin g book. You' ll le arn all about the power of drainage will be attained by plant­ applies to the San Francisco Bay area pl ants to sur vi ve . .. sus tain . .. heal and kill . alter con sc iousness. . and affec t the human spirit. ing in ground bark and some forest where even more tender varieties Hundreds o f magnificent color illus tratio ns! litter, if available. This is absolutely are grown. Those interested in HOUSE PLANTS necessary on the coastal areas of the newer varieties should contact one How to Keep 'Em Fat and Happy by Linda Finkle·Strauss Carolinas, Georgia, northern of the many rhododendron specialty 288 pages, illustrated, $12.95 Whether you ha ve a lush indoor jungle or a dark Florida and along the Gulf Coast to nurseries. windowsill, this is th e plant care book you can de­ pend on. You'll find specific guidance on how to Texas. Growing conditions are dif­ Rhododendrons have been gain­ pick the right plant .. keep it flourishing . .. and ficult but the more dedicated have ing acceptance in southern Califor­ pro pagate e verything from cac ti to flowering plants. succeeded with the ironclads, as nia in spite of the adverse water 15 DAYS' FREE EXAMINATION! ~'J ~ well as 'Blue Peter,' 'Cynthia,' 'Jan conditions. Some varieties seem to ------I'-Inrl! Dekens,' 'Jean Marie de Montagu,' accept this provided they are grown McGRAW-HILL BOOK COMPANY • 1221 Avenue of the Americas 'Lord Roberts,' 'Mrs. E. C. Stirling,' with bark in raised beds or contain­ New York, N.Y. 10020 'Mrs. Tom H . Lowinsky,' 'Pink ers. The culture is similar to azaleas Send me the book(s ) checked belo w for 15 days' free examination. At the end of that time, I will either Pearl' and 'Vulcan's Flame.' which have been used for many remit in full , plus tax, postage, and handling, or return the bookes ) postpaid. If I remit in full with Returning north to the mountains years. Varieties include' Anah Krus­ this order, plus any tax, McGraw-Hill pay s all regu­ lar postage and handling charges and full return of Virginia and the Carolinas, and chke,' 'Anna Rose Whitney,' 'Betty privileges still apply. Offer good in U .S . only and sub;ecllO acceptance by McGraw-Hill. then across through Kentucky to St. Wormald,' 'Blue Peter,' broughtonii o HOME LANDSCAPE, Rev. & Enlarged Ed . (018879-3) $12 .95 Louis and finally to Oklahoma City, aureum, 'Jan Dekens', 'Lord Rob­ o WILD FLOWERS OF THE N ORTHEAST­ ERN STATES (046371-9) $18.95 is Zone 6 area. Varieties suggested erts,' 'Marinus Koster,' 'Mrs. Tom o HOW TO FARM YOUR BACKYARD THE MULCH-ORGAN IC WAY (001128-1 ) $9.95 for Long Island may be used. H. Lowinsky,' myrtifolium, 'Pink o THE POWER OF PLAN TS (03705 5-9) $39.95 The Zone 5 areas of Pennsylvania, Pearl' and 'Sappho.' o HOUSE PLAN TS (021007-1 ) $12.95 Name ______the Virginia mountains, across the Provided a few simple culture Address ______southern parts of Ohio, Indiana, Il­ practices are carried out, you will City ______linois, through the middle of find no other shrub that will give State ______Zip ____ Missouri and down to Wichita, may greater reward for less attention. 25 1.------57J16G-4178-3 Charles O. Cresson 32 Amherst Avenue Swarthmore, FA 19081

Members of the genus Fuchsia have long been admired and prized as tender garden plants in northern climates. What is not generally real­ ized is that F. magellanica Lam., the hardiest species, is hardy in many temperate climates as well. It is one of the few plants native to Chile that will grow outdoors in the east­ ern United States. Wyman rates it as being hardy in zones 5-6 (Arnold Arboretum Map). This is the equiva­ lent of the expected annual mini­ mum temperatures of Boston, Massachusetts and Cleveland, Ohio. Generally, the hardy fuchsia is treated as a herbaceous perennial in the northern part of its range where it is killed to the ground annually. However, each spring it sprouts up from below the soil, reaching a pos­ sible height of three feet or more with the longer branches drooping gracefully. The leaves, in whorls of twos, threes, or fours, may be up to two inches long. From late June or July until frost, the branches carry hundreds of small 1-11/2 inch flowers in the typical fuchsia form. The tube and sepals are bright red, the petals blue to violet-blue. The many variet­ ies vary as to habit, height, flower color and size, and hardiness. In milder climates, Fuchsia magel­ lanica commonly forms a shrub 4 to 8 feet high, but may reach twice that height. The tan bark peels from the older stems in an attractive way. 26 This fuchsia is hardy throughout the British Isles as are many other reported hardy in Freeport, Long Is­ plants should be given extra protec­ Chilean natives. In Ireland and land and was grown and repropa­ tion the first winter. southern England F. mage Llanica is a gated for 13 years in Syracuse, New Surveying the literature or nur­ useful hedge plant. Indeed, it is so York. I am told that it is also growing sery catalogues, one is likely to be well adapted to this climate that it in Ithaca, New York at Cornell Uni­ overwhelmed by the profusion of has become naturalized along the versity. The cultivar 'Scarlet Beauty' cultivar and variety names, many of roadsides in western Ireland. It is has proved hardy in Painesville, which are synonymous. Generally, also hardy as far north as British Co­ Ohio. Dr. Donald Wyman notes that however, any variety of F. magel­ lumbia in western North America. this clone and 'Senorita', though lanica is worthy of trial. The land­ In its native Chile, it fonns thick­ perhaps short-lived, have survived scape effects will be similar except ets in low moist areas near water. in Cleveland, Ohio. The Barnes for variations in habit or height. The range of the hardy fuchsia is Foundation on the south side of The varieties discolor and conica 1500 miles long, extending down Philadelphia has grown a form of are from the colder part of Chile and even to the Straits of Magellan. It is Fuchsia mage Llanica for many years. so may show greater resistance to found from the coast up into the Examination of the records at the cold temperatures. Variety molinae lower elevations in the Andes Arnold Arboretum has shown that (alba) , the white fonn, is mentioned Mountains. of several trials over the years, none as being one of the hardier forms. Probably the first fuchsia in culti­ have proved extremely long-lived 'Maiden's Blush' is evidently a selec­ vation, it was introduced into En­ there. It seems that the home gar­ tion of this variety. Variety gracilis is gland between 1786 and 1789 and dener can have somewhat better reported to be hardy as far north as was an important parent of many of success where the plants get more New York City. The variegated the early hybrids. personal care and can be repropa­ forms 'Variegata' and 'Versicolor' Fuchsia magellanica would be a gated every few years. (,Tricolor') are both sports of var. welcome accent to the front of the In most areas, particularly north gracilis. shrub border, blooming from mid­ of Philadelphia, care must be paid to There are a number of hybrids summer to frost when few other winter protection. It is generally ad­ which, although they differ little shrubs are in bloom. It is also well visable to provide a mulch with a from the species in landscape value, displayed above a low wall, particu­ material such as salt hay or pine have reputations that recommend larly the prostrate habit of 'Globosa'. needles, which do not tend to mat them highly for trial in the eastern The hardy fuchsia should not be down and lose their insulating ca­ states. 'Riccartonii' has proved to be difficult to grow. It is not particular pabilities. My experience indicates one of the best of the magellanica as to soil and pH but prefers a rich, that it may be a good idea to set the types . It is both vigorous and well drained mixture. Partial shade plants slightly deeper in the soil in floriferous, shooting up strongly is recommended, but I have seen order to protect a greater number of after a hard winter. Wyman says it is plants bloom sparsely even in heavy the basal buds and provide a hardy up to New York City. 'Glo­ shade. A plant of mine in nearly full stronger start in the spring. A loca­ bosa' may also prove hardy since it sun was very strong and bloomed tion next to the foundation of a contains var. conica as one of its par­ profusely. heated building is likely to be highly ents. 'Exoniensis' has flowers twice Most of the information about the beneficial. as large as the other hardy hybrids, culture of Fuchsia magellanica con­ Propagation is a simple matter in but its comparative hardiness is un­ cerns the British Isles. However, August. Softwood cuttings, 3-5 certain. over the years there have been a inches long, with or without a heel, I would be pleased to hear of the number of claims of success in the root easily in venniculite, sand, or experiences of anyone who has eastern United States. It has been other suitable medium. Young grown any of these fuchsias. 27 Plant

Richard M. Ada ms, II L. H. Bailey Hortorium Co rne ll University Itha ca, NY 14853

Plant propagation would be easy in the legion proliferated indepen­ techniques of plant tissue culture for a sorcerer's apprentice. Think dently of the others. Growth is con­ (synonym, in vitro culture)1 derive back to Walt Disney's Fantasia ,2 in fined to specific regions of the plant, their names from the plant part (the which Mickey Mouse played this and growth of individual cells is explant) with which cultures are fabled character, and he found him­ regulated by their position in the started. self beset b y the deranged, en­ plant body. The apical meristem is a minute chanted broomstick. At wit's end, To fulfill its totipotential, a cell dome of tissue at the pinnacle of the he lopped the creature in half; but must be freed from its connections shoot tip. This almighty aggregation where previously there'd been one with other cells, and it must be of rapidly growing tissue gives rise broomstick, there were now two! nourished by a medium fully com­ to all the cells in the shoot.· When And when further cleaved, these be­ petent to support its gro~th.10 explanted and grown in vitro , it will came four, eight, sixteen, thirty­ Theoretically, then, if a plant were generate a new plant, and the pro­ two . . . soon a whole battalion· of separated into its component cells, cess is dubbed " meristemming." comminuted servants, each as each-under the proper condi­ Most commonly some of the shoot headstrong as the first. tions--could eventually generate a tip tissue just below the meristem is The apprentice's bane, though, whole new plant identical to the also included with the part cut off, would be a boon to plant prop­ parent. so " shoot-tip culture" would be a agators; just think if plants could be Indeed, laboratory tests9 have more accurate term for this tech­ severed, each half instantly re­ shown that single cells of tobacco-a nique. 7 Other tissues that can be generating anew. But this fantasy common plant " guinea pig" -can explanted successfully in some isn' t too far from reality. be isolated and grown into full­ plants include leaves and leaf pieces What plant cells (and perhaps the sized adults. This is a venturesome along with flower parts-anthers, broomstick) have in common is the research exploit, for it's difficult to petals, and flower stalks. property of to tipo tency, 10 meaning set up the proper test-tube envi­ that each cell carries all the genetic Environment ronment to support such isolated information necessary for the forma­ Plucked from the plant body, with tion of a whole plant. cells, mere fragments of life that they its elaborate provisions for nutrition Normally, individual cells do not are. For practical applications, it's and defense from the external envi­ reach their totipotential. If they did, much easier to start with a group of ronment, an explanted piece of tis­ the entire organization of the plant cells, as is the common practice in sue must be nurtured in precisely 28 body would fall asunder as each cell commercial tissue culture. Various controlled surroundings. All the nu- trients and growth factors found (either 24 hou rs or with a dark plants ensures against such m ass ex­ within the plant body mus t be period) and temperature (generall y tinctions. Such variability can be supplied artificially9 These include in the 70's). 7 Wi thin a few days to a m aintained in tissue cultures b y a variety of minerals: nitrogen , few weeks, explanted shoot tips will starting them from numerous seeds phosphorus and potassium (the have proliferated to form a clump of rather than from genetically identi­ three main fertilizer elements), plus tissue with multiple growin g points cal explants. calcium, magnesium, sulfur and which form tiny plantlets. These can Obtaining virus-free plants- Many iron . Micron u trien t s-boron , be divided manually to effect prop­ clones may become infected with cobalt, and manganese, to name a agation,4 or som etimes the process viruses through many years of culti­ few-may also be required, so can be automated. I When grown in vation and vegetative propagation. they're routinely added. And an iso­ a continuously rotated medium, the But the rapidly growing shoot tip lated piece of tissue can't photosyn­ plantlets will sometimes break off often stays one step ahead of virus thesize enough sugar or vitamins to by themselves and initiate more infestation. When it's removed and plantlets, which break off and form support its growth, so these too grown separately, transmission of more, ad i11 f initum . Not u nlike the the virus may be avoided. must be supplied. Aeration is also sorcerer' s enchanted broomstick! Storage of germplasm - Tissue cul­ important, and this can be ac­ Using this technique with carna­ tures take up very little space, yet complished by agitating the liquid tions, it is estimated that one grow­ can generate multitudes of plants in medium, placing the tissue on a i n g point can produce 100,000 sh ort order; so the process h as great paper support, or solidifying the plantlets with in a si x month potential for the long-term mainte­ medium with agar-gelatin 6 period! 1 such an experiment was nance of stock plant material. Within the plant body, growth is started at Cornell in 1969; and with Tissue cultu re is a relatively recent regulated by a variety of plant hor­ this exponential growth rate, it's es­ development in plant propagation mones, two important kinds being timated that if all progeny had been which is growing fast in popularity. the auxins and the cytokinins. The all owed to survive, they would have I wonder what tales the fable-tellers plant detects these in faint con­ numbered in the trillions by now!S of old would have spun had they centrations-on the order of a few seen the process in action! parts per million, the equivalent Applications of Tissue Culture of a drop in a garbage pail. 11 Mighty Rapid clona l propag ation­ References powerful, they are! These hormones Production of large numbers of 1. Ben-Jaacov, J., and R. W . Langhans. must be added to the medium in plants in a short time is an obviou s 1972. Rapid m ultipli cation of Chrysan­ order to spur growth. But the proper themum plants by stem-tip proliferation. advantage of tissue culture, and the HortScience 7: 289-290. concentration to use differs with majority of florist's crops in the U.s. 2. Finch, C. 1975. The art of Walt Disney. each kind of plant; and unless the can be propagated this way. Plants Harry N . Abrams, Inc., New York, NY. pp. proper amount has already been de­ so produced are all genetically iden­ 96-106. termined for a given species, vari­ tical to the original explant- that is, 3. Hackett, W. 1966. Appli cation of ti ssue culture to plant propagation. Proceedings of ous concentrations must be tested they form a clone-which makes the Internati onal Plant Propagators' Society beforehand. Commonly, test plants them easier to manage: all prefer the 16: 88-92 . are laid out in a grid, with a series of same cultural conditions, grow at a 4. Hanell, L. 1977. Report on the meeting: varying auxin concentrations along similar pace, and flower at the same Plant tissue culture. Speaker: Bob Makeno. Bulletin of the Los Angeles International Fern one axis and different amounts of time. Society 4(6) : 146-161. cytokinin along the other. Tissue culture could be used to 5 . La ngh a ns , R. W. (perso n a l co m ­ Just as the medium is favorable for propagate many species, once their munication.) nurturing plant tissue, so too could a preferences for growing media were 6. Marston, M. 1970. Plant propagation using i1l v itro culture techniques. Proceed­ host of microorganisms flourish, determined . I think commercial ings of the International Plant Propagators' were the plant, container and growers tend to overlook people's Society 20: 359-363. medium not pre-sterilized. 6 Ex­ growing interest in the 7. Murashige, T. 1966. Principles of il1 v itro culture. Proceedings of the Interna ti onal plants are commonly soaked in a "botanicals"-in tellectually stirn u­ Plant Propagators' Society 16: 80-87. solution of clorox or alcohol to re­ lating plants such as carnivorous 8. __. 1974. Pl ant propagation through move surface contaminants (al­ plants, species orchids, unusual ti ssue cultures. Annual Review of Plant though the shoot tip, enshrouded palms, ferns, succulents, and other Physiology 25: 135-166. by developing leaves, is usually foliage and flowering plants. 9. _ _ , and F. Skoog. 1962 . A revised medium for rapid growth and bioassays with 7 sterile). The medium and container Large numbers of genetically tobacco tissue culture. Physiologia Plan­ must · be autoclaved, and all sub­ identical plants (monocultures) can tarum 15: 473-497. sequent manipulations are per­ be threatened if they are susceptible 10. Steward, F. c. , et al. 1964. Growth and development of cultured plant cells. Science formed under a draft of filtered air. to a particular disease which may 143: 20-27. Tissue cultures must be grown wipe out the entire clone. In con­ 11 . Tukey, H . B. , Jr. (personal communica­ under the proper conditions of light trast, the genetic variability of wild tion) 29 •

Owe n M. Rogers Professor, Uni versity of New Hampshire Durham, NH 03824

Pity the gardener who says, soms overshadows most things that August, any lilac flower can be a "Lilacs? Two weeks of beauty and bloom at that time. There are too showpiece, especially if it is also that's it!" That person sees only the many cultivars of the common lilac; fragrant. common lilac with its admitted over 1,000 have been recorded, so Syringa persica is the finest tex­ beauty of flower, but ignores other the best recommendation is to go to tured of all the lilacs because of its lilacs which extend the bloom sea­ one of the great lilac collections with small finely divided leaves and son. Eight weeks of "beauty" is not pencil and paper, note outstanding many small flower clusters. The Per­ at all difficult to obtain. plants, and match those names sian lilac was described over 300 The first lilac species to bloom is against the lists of lilacs available years ago in Persia; however, it Syringa oblata . It will open a week to from a favorite nursery. Even if your probably originated in China long ten days ahead of the common lilac, nursery has only a restricted list, before it was carried to Persia and S. VUlgaris; in fact, the flowers are so chances are that at least some of India. early that occasionally a late freeze them will fit your needs for beautiful After the group of species listed will nip some of the buds. The bloom. above have finished flowering, species also has some fall foliage After the common lilac, and fre­ most people think the season is color so that this lilac's " beauty" ex­ quently overlapping it, there are over; but, now is just the beginning tends all the way to autumn. The several lilac species to provide con­ for the group of larger leaved species species S. oblata itself may not be tinued bloom, including Syringa x typified by Syringa x prestoniae. readily available in all nurseries, but chinensis, S. microphylla, and S. per­ These lilacs are good landscape cultivars that have been developed sica. Syringa x chinensis , sometimes plants, excellent for large screens from the hybrid of S. oblata and S. called the landscape lilac, is admired and enclosures as well as for an vulgaris (called Syringa x hyancinthi­ for its profuse bloom. It is smaller a bun dance of large open flower clus­ flora) are carried by many firms. than the common lilac, and some ters. They do require a site with rea­ Such names as 'Blue Hyacinth' and consider it more graceful. In addi­ sonable moisture , because in 'Clarkes Giant' (both blue), 'Asses­ tion, it always blooms well-some­ drought and stress times they suffer sippi' (lilac) and 'Esther Staley' and thing that cannot be claimed for from lack of water. There are an in­ 'Necker' (Pink) are good additions every lilac. The Littleleaf Lilac, S. creasing number of good cultivar to any lilac garden for their early microphylla is even more graceful forms in this group as the plant bloom. and dainty than the Chinese Lilac. breeders continue to improve the Following S. x hyacinthiflora , the The plant will grow wide, but not forms . ' James Macfarlane' and bloom of the common lilac, S. vul­ tall, so it fits easily into shrub border 'Coral' are noteworthy because they garis , dominates the season. This is plans. S. microphylla 'Superba' is a have deep rose, almost red, buds the lilac of Lord Noyes who wanted pink form of the lavender colored and bright clear pink flowers. 'Roy­ everyone to "Go down to Kew in species. Both are equally fragrant, alty' is also an old favorite with deep lilac time," and of Walt Whitman's, and both will produce a few small purple flowers. This group of late " When lilacs last in the dooryard flower clusters in August. This fall lilacs includes several species and bloom' d. " The profusion of bloom rebloom is not as spectacular as the species hybrids that make fascinat­ 30 and fragrance of these fabled blos- spring flowering profusion, but, in ing garden subjects, but most are

carried only by specialty nurseries. be used a great deal more than it is, New England), the contrast of green Sometimes cultivars such as 'Rutil­ especially for its very conspicuous leaves with highly colored fall ant' (purple), 'Lutece' (violet) and midsummer bloom. foliage plants highlights them both. 'Hedin' (It. pink) can be found There are a few lilacs that will put When the leaves have finally through diligent search. New forms out an occasional small flower in the dropped, lilac seed pods can extend are being developed. One, which is late summer. Even the common lilac the season of attractiveness. The tree not yet on the market, has been de­ will sometimes bloom in August, al­ lilac seed pods retain their clear veloped at the University of New though it is unusual enough an straw yellow long into the winter Hampshire. This cultivar blooms in event to warrant space in the local and are especially effective in front the New England area late in June, newspaper. If a lilac fancier would of a dark background. Colored pods and when it is available commer­ like such notoriety or just enjoys the are known; one year I saw red seed cially, it will extend the bloom sea­ fragrance of lilacs, more consistent pods on a plant of Syringa oblata. son of the Pres toniae hybrids and early fall bloom can be obtained by They must have resulted from an overlap them with the tree lilac-the planting Syringa meyeri and the one unusual combination of plant and weather, because the color has never reappeared with the same intensity. Most Popular Cultivars of the Common Lilac Syringa vulgaris I am encouraged, and hopefully can enlist helpers, to look for more reli­ (From a survey conducted by Mr. Frank Niedz in 1970) able performers. Maybe, some­ where out there, there is a lilac with Color Double Single seed pods that will rival the crabap­ White 'Ellen Willmott' 'Vestale' ple! 'Edith Cavell' 'Jan Van Tol' So, lilacs for two weeks? Non­ 'Mme. Lemoine' 'Mont Blanc' sense, lilacs are for eight weeks. No! Violet ' Violetta' 'De Miribel' 'Marechal Lannes' 'Cavour' Lilacs are for all seasons. Blue , Ami Schott' 'Pres. Lincoln' 'Olivier De Serres' 'Firmament' 'Pres. Grevy' .'Decaisne' Lilac 'Victor Lemoine' 'Cristophe Columb' Prairie Grasses 'Henri Martin' 'Jacques Callott' Con tinued from page 5 'Leon Gambetta' , Alphonse Lavallee' stems, beginning in July, are un­ Pink 'Mme. Antoine Buchner' 'Lucie Baltet' usual and directly responsible for 'Katherine Havemeyer' 'Macrostachya' 'Montaigne' the name " sideoats," because the 'Belle De Nancy' seed spikelets do resemble oats, and Magenta 'Paul Thirion' 'Capitaine Baltet' are neatly arranged along one side of 'Charles Joly' 'Mme. F. Morel' the stem. In late summer the seed 'Pres. Poincaire' 'Congo' stems turn whitish and remain that Purple 'Adelaide Dunbar' 'Ludwig Spaeth' 'Paul Hariot' 'Mrs. W. E. Marshall' way until beaten down by winter. 'Night' Although not showy, they are in­ 'Monge' teresting, and last well in arrange­ ments. Western wheatgrass (Agropyron smithii) is a sod-forming cool season last lilac species to bloom. mentioned earlier in this article grass vegetating in spring and au­ The main lilac bloom sequence Syringa mierophylla, either as the tumn with attractive silver-blue ends with the tree lilac, Syringa re­ lavender colored species or the pink foliage . Its seed heads, which are tieulata , in late June and early July. 'Superba' form. not particularly showy, are pro­ Its compound panicles of creamy Late in the fall, at least two lilac duced from June until summer dor­ white flowers are very large, occa­ species produce effective fall foliage mancy, growing up to about three sionally as much as 20 inches long color. Syringa patula (S. velutina) feet. This grass is not tempting for and 12 inches across. The individual turns a good burgundy while the gardens, but it has a useful place as a flowers are small, and without the hybrids of Syringa oblata also have ground cover to prevent washing or characteristic lilac fragrance, al­ fine purple-bronze tints. blow-outs under difficult full-sun though they do have a very rich, Even the common lilac has fall conditions. Sow the fresh seeds honey-like sweet smell. The tree value. Admittedly, it remains green where you want plants to grow, in lilac is, in fact, a small tree and an until leaf drop, but because that leaf either fall or spring, covering 32 excellent landscape plant. It should fall is very late (into November in lightly. Buffalograss (Bu chlo e dacty 10 ides) downward into the soil than up into is a naturally short grass of the Great the sunshine. Meanwhile, you are Plains whose possibilities have not likely to see a great flush of grassy been fully explored. The pioneers weeds such as foxtail and crabgrass, found one use when they built sod and there is little you can do about huts. Do not combine it with the them. By the second autumn and taller kinds described here, or it will surely by the third, you should be lost. In a solid stand it forms a begin to see little tufts or clumps of tough sod with a curly nap that re­ the prairie species you planted. If pels weedy invaders. It never needs they are no farther than a yard apart, watering or fertilizing, and in a lawn the experts would say you have a needs mowing only two or three stand, and nothing to worry about. times a summer at most. Its disad­ Time will fill in the spaces. vantage is that like other warm sea­ The method of seeding may pose a son grasses it goes dormant with problem. For small areas, hand frosts and stays that way until broadcasting is practical, and will spring, as a light brown mat. In ap­ give a good random placement of pearance through cool seasons it is the different kinds in a mixture. If no match for bluegrass, and it is not the project is too large for this, the suited to sites that are shaded or best way is to mix seeds with dry damp. Also, after a few years the sand and scatter them with a fer­ stand may begin to thin out tilizer spreader. Unfortunately, in unaccountably-a fault apparently mixtures, the smoothest seeds such related to the amount of rainfall. as switchgrass may fall through To establish a buffalograss sod, first, giving an uneven distribution. broadcast pre-treated seeds in Draw a packer of some sort over the spring at the rate of 6/10ths of a ground to firm seeds into the soil. In pound of pure live seeds (ab­ large acreages, planters use special breviated PLS in the trade) per 1,000 implements developed for hard­ square feet on a very firm seed bed, to-handle seeds. Soil Conservation and rake them in. If your seeds are Service local offices are the likeliest not pre-treated, (to soften seed coat sources of information about avail­ and break dormancy) it is best to ability of such machines. The SCS sow them in autumn. If the amount Plant Materials Center at Manhat­ seems very small, consider that buf­ tan, Kansas, where scores of strains falograss spreads fast by stolons, of prairie grasses are planted each and sparse seedlings will quickly fill year, plants its small plots with a in, usually by the second year. simple push-type (Planet Jr.) row In growing only an experimental type seeder with br~shes on the feed row of these grasses in a garden, mechanism. weeds are no problem. But if you are Some of the current dealers (no trying to establish them over a siza­ endorsement intended) in prairie ble area, weeds are indeed a formid­ grass seed who will ship in small able foe. The topic of prairie resto­ quantities at retail are: rations is too big to be detailed here, Sharp Brothers, Healy, Kans. 67850 but the basic guideline is to start Miller Seed Co., Box 81823, with a firm but scarified (not freshly 1540 Cornhusker Hwy., plowed) seedbed, and one that pref­ Lincoln, Nebraska 68521 erably is in stubble from a previous Stock Seed Farms, RR, Box 112, season's crop hi> give protection Murdock, Nebraska 68407 frem wind and water erosion. Small-quantity packets of prairie Wheatgrass usually makes a fairly grass seeds are also available from fast show, but the seedlings of big Save the Tallgrass Prairie, Inc., 4101 SEYMOUR SMITH & SON. INC. Better Garden Tools Since 1850 and little bluestem, indiangrass, W. 54th Terr., Shawnee Mission, Oakville. Conn. 06779 and even switchgrass may be dis­ Kansas 66205. Details will be fur­ PRUNING SHEARS· GRASS SHEARS couragingly slow to appear. In their nished by that organization upon HEDGE SHEARS· LOPPING SH""H~'_ first season more growth may go request. PRUNING SAWS 33 R::1scncus? Ifsl\ti ~-...... -.....,~ilySo!

William Carmichael Society of American Florists 901 North Washington Stree t Alexandria, VA 22314

rienced horticulturists pause for thought? And there can be abso­ lutely no doubt that such sweeping statements as " Death Lurks In Your Garden ," " Pretty Plants Are Peril­ ous," and " Household Plants Pose Deadly Threat" strike terror in the hearts of all parents with small chil­ dren. Many read the headlines only, and have neither the time nor the in­ clination to check the facts. Justwhat are the facts according to the experts? George Abraham, the highly-respected and widely-syndi­ cated " garden" writer, says that, " Sweeping statements such as 'po­ tential killers' (relating to household plants) have been made for years. "We don't say that people should o u ignore the fact that certain plants, if ~"" eaten, can produce a toxic reaction :g in a child or anyone else. Neverthe­ ~ less, the whole business of poison­ c ~ ous plants should be reviewed fac- t) ~ tually and without undue alarm. " In I; short," continues Abraham, " Na- o Ii ture's green growing gifts are taking

Cl. a bum rap from people who don' t Datura want to look at the picture with common sense." The headlines are frighttming, in­ Threat" warns the Concord, NC, Abraham is critical of a recent flammatory, and they appear almost Tribune. story in a newspaper which read: daily in newspapers throughout the The Springfield, MA, Union re­ "The most outstanding increase in country. cently posed the question: " That human poisoning in recent years is a " Pretty Plants Make You Sick," an­ Greenery On the Sill, Is It a Deadly direct result of changing our homes nounces the Danville, IL, Commer­ Garden ?;" while the Paris, TN, Post into jungles. The plants that are now cial News. " Gardening May be Haz­ Intellingencer stated with finality, such an integral part of the home ardous to Your H ealth," says the Bea­ " Poison Plants Number Over Sev en decor are potential killers." ver, PA, Times. Hundred. " Referring to this opening para­ " Plants Poison!" is how the Louis­ Is it any wonder that such head­ graph in an otherwise less than in­ ville, KY , Courier-Journal states the lines, and literally hundreds more spirational treatise on " poison 34 case, and " Poison Plants Serious like them, give even the most expe- plants" in general, Abraham says, ·'Practically everybody knows that " Of course," continues Lederer, certain plants can produce toxic "as so often happens, this story was reactions, but I absolutely deplore eventually reprinted without verifi­ the alarming manner in which the cation in a book of supposed 'facts' information is often presented to the about poison plants, and not long public. after that, a less than careful pu bli­ "For example, in a recent story in cist used the story in a 'poison plant' a magazine there was the statement brochure which was published and that of the 13,000 persons stricken widely distributed by a well-known by plant poisoning last year, some chemical company. "Thus," con­ fatally, 12,000 were children. cludes Lederer, "you have a typical "When the American Association example of a piece of fiction which of Nurserymen checked this state­ was printed-with no verifica­ ment with the National Clearing tion-whatsoever." House for Poison Control Centers, According to John Walker, Execu­ the'some' . .. turned out to be one tive Vice President, Society of person!" Robert F. Lederer, Execu­ Digitalis (Fox glove) American Florists, and Past Presi­ tive Vice President of the American dent (1965-1967) of the American Association of Nurserymen, con­ publicity. But there is no excuse for Horticul tural Society, another curs with columnist Abraham, outright, even if unintentional, fab­ "Those stories you've been reading rications. " Some books on poison­ about poison plants-they're a bum ous plants contain reports that are rap against Mother Nature. old and inconclusive and based "It's high time to call a halt to the strictly upon rumor and hearsay," Lederer says. " Whereas, the fact is spread of false statements about the that we can find no record for many plant life that mankind depends years of a single registered fatality upon for survival on this planet," from being near, or from eating, cul­ suggests Lederer. tivated plant material. " (Lederer "A lot of people, and I am sure quotes as his authority the National some of them are well-meaning in­ Clearinghouse for Poison Control dividuals, are spreading misconcep­ Centers in Bethesda, Maryland.) tions about some sort of serious "There is nothing more common in our world than plants/' continues Lederer. " They are almost every­ where, and where they are lacking Lantana camara we suffer filthy air, ugliness, rav­ aged earth, noise pollution, emo­ example of a "poison plant" myth is tional disorders, and energy waste." the old familiar "poinsettia story." Rumors and rumors of rumors Nobody knows how or where the disturb Lederer most of all. "Some myth originated, although accord­ years ago," he recalls, "there was an ing to one version of the story in investigation of a widely distrib­ 1919, the two-year old child of an :;; uted story about a little girl who was Army officer stationed in Hawaii 9- rn I playing 'tea party/ and who sup­ died almost instantly after ingesting rn Qi posedly ate a berry from a bush and a poinsettia bract. E rn 0.. promptly expired. Walker says the tale has never >. .D co "It was a dramatic story," says been substantiated. Nobody has C .r;. ever been able to find out the name 0.. Lederer, "and it made colorful read­ Solanum pseudocal2sicum ing. Nevertheless, after a long of the Army officer, of the child, and exhaustive investigation, it was there is no record in Hawaii of a threat from cultivated plants, and eventually determined that the little death certificate. Nevertheless, for I'm afraid I can't be generous about 'tea party' never took place. There well over fifty years the rumors per­ this. was no little girl, no berries, no sisted, and eventually came to be ac­ "I think the motive is oftentimes death. The story was simply a fig­ cepted as fact. to sell books, or newspaper and ment of a writer's fertile imagina­ In an effort to scientifically resolve magazine articles, or to get personal tion. these totally unfounded charges 35 Two against the poinsettia, and to al­ about the quality of poison plant in­ important leviate public fear concerning the formation in general. additions to plant's alleged toxicity, the United His change of attitude was re­ States floral industry launched an flected in a recent talk he made to the your bookshelf ... intensive investigation. members of the Society for The Society of American Florists Economic Botany, portions of which collaborated with the Ohio State should prove of interest to every AGrowth University on a poinsettia research horticulturist. project. Studies resulting from these Kingsbury explained, for exam­ Chamber tests were accepted as valid by the ple, that " The quality of the infor­ U.S. Consumer Products Safety mation available about poisonous Manual Commission and they proved be­ plants is as variable as it is in any Environmental Control for Plants yond reasonable doubt that ani­ science. Therefore, it is important to mals, even when given unusually remember that all that appears to be Edited by ROBERT W. lAN­ GHANS. All aspects of proper high doses of various portions of the dangerous is not dangerous. The maintenance and operation of poinsettia plant, showed no mortal­ fact is, a lot of poisonous plant litera­ growth chambers are covered ity, no symptoms of toxicity, and no ture-a good deal of which is in this authoritative guide pre­ pared by the Committee on changes in dietary intake or be­ counted as being authoritative-­ Growth Chamber Environ­ havior patterns. is not proved. Some of it even dates ments of the American Society Nevertheless, even though the back to the 16th century. for Horticultural Science. Thir­ teen experts explain growth Ohio State University findings "Some very basic elements must chambers and how to avoid might reasonably have been ex­ be considered in determining plant many of the problems as­ pected to effectively debunk for all toxicity," says Kingsbury, "and it is sociated with their operation. Greenhouse operators, stu­ time the old wives' tales about the important to understand these dents, commercial plant grow­ alleged toxicity of the poinsettia, basics. ers, teachers and experimen­ each year the headlines reappear as "For example, plant substances talists - all will find here the information vitally important for regularly as clockwork-Beware of can be broken down into two broad keeping a plant growth the Beautiful but Dangerous Poinset­ categories-primary and secondary . chamber running under op­ tia! compounds. The primary com­ timum conditions. 44 black­ and-white photographs and The term, "poisonous plants" as pounds are employed by the plant to drawings. $17 .50 presently employed in books , sustain life and growth, whereas the newspapers, and magazines too secondary compounds are the ones often conjures up images of death that are normally toxic." lurking in every corner of the house According to Kingsbury, plants Dwarfed or garden. The truth is that hun­ have developed toxic compounds as dreds of popular indoor and outdoor a defense mechanism, chiefly Fruit Trees plants which are alleged to be highly against predators such as insects. By HAROLD BRADFORD toxic have never at any time been Insects, unlike vertebrates, cannot TUKEY. In this authoritative guide the author identifies the implicated in human poisoning. vomit and, therefore, usually die important dwarfing rootstocks There are many reasons for this. after ingesting plants which are pro­ and describes their propagation Chiefly, most " poisons" in so-called tected by secondary compounds and growth in the nursery. He discusses the selection and "poisonous plants" are so minute which are toxic. Human beings have spacing of trees, bracing and that great quantities would have to a natural defense mechanism, and trellising , and fruit trees grown be consumed before even minor simply by vomiting they usually under glass, as bonsai and as ornamentals. He also covers discomfort occurred. discharge what is unnatural or tree structure and physiology, John M. Kingsbury is the author poisonous. modern scientific theories of of the book, Poisonous Plants of the As a result of his recent studies, dwarfing , soils, fertilizers , polli­ United States and Canada, which is Kingsbury has concluded that, "The nation , costs, yields, and the lo­ cations where dwarfed fruit often quoted as the definitive study fact that a plant is known to contain trees are most likely to succeed. of plant toxicity. His observations toxic elements does not necessarily Originally published in 1964 and make it harmful to man or animals." now reissued , this book is on the subject have been the source unique in its field . 150 black­ of continuous controversy ever Nevertheless, in summing up, and-white photographs and since the book was published in Kingsbury deplored the current lan­ drawings. $29.50 1974. The result has been that guage barrier which apparently CORNEll UNIVERSITY Kingsbury has apparently had some exists between botanists and phar­ PRESS macists. Ithaca, New York 14850 second thoughts about the problem 36 of plant toxicity in general, as well as "Each group appears to be con- cerned with only one side of the tox­ Drop garden waste in- 'Accelerator' Super 18 icity problem. Consequently, the has 18 panels, 36" two groups, working apart, have high , 34" diameter, capacity 17.5 cu. ft. been unable to establish a common Slide panels. Continuous I' ground upon which to explore all process. • $54.95 the questions." delivered . The problem of toxic plants is not 'Accelerator' Super 14 has 14 panels, 36" going away; and it m ay get ev en high , 27" diameler, capacity 10.6 cu. ft . worse, if only because plants head Slide panels. Continuous , the list for the number of reports process. $45.95 . made to poison control ce nters delivered. ' . throughout the country. 'Accelerator' Super 10 In 1975, alone, the National Clear­ has 10 panels, 36" ing House for Poison Control Cen­ high, 19" diameter. '. capacity 5.4 cu. ft . ters, Bethesda, Maryland, received Slide panels. Coprocessntinuou. s I:' 7,710 telephone calls concerning the $39.95 possibility of plant poisoning, w ith delivered. 5,72 7 children under the age of five reported as the most frequent vic­ shovel rich compost'oiit. tims of plant ingestion. Just think what tons of compost will do for your Over 450,000 Rotocrop compost bins are in use Most plants produced mild reac­ garden . It's the ideal natural fertilizer and soil throughout the world . Gardeners know that conditioner all in one - free for the making. they end unsightly heaps, make compost faster tions, or none at all. Nevertheless, and are scientifically designed to turn garden symptoms of toxicity did appear in and kitchen wastes into rich, valuable compost Now, Set on Soil within weeks-no turning the heap, no 905 cases, and 186 children required or Paving, unpleasant odors. Make a ton of compost in hospitalization. indoors or out one season! According to the National Clear­ The new raised intern al Grow more bountiful vegetables, more beauti­ ventilators. now with all Ac­ fu l fl owers, more lu xurious lawns and healthier inghouse for Poison Control Cen­ celerators and Economis­ house plants with the natural plant food and ters, adult poisoning by plants is a ers. provide ideal air flow conditioning humus that Rotocrop compost th rough the pile. Set the bin comparatively rare occurrence, and anywhere- on soil in the adds to you r soil. garden. on a patio. or in­ UNIQUE DESIGN FEATURES: Rotocrop's depends almost entirely upon the doors for winter compost­ 'Accelerator' compost bins are constructed presence of unsuspected toxic ing in basement or garage. from precision-extruded rugged plastic panels agents which vary considerably which slide together to form a sturdy, heat­ retaining cylinder. Lasts for years. Will not rot, from one variety of plant to another. shrink or swell. With no corners to cool off, It is important to remember that Economiser LIFT-OFF compost bins fermentation heat extends to all edges of the heap. Air vents in each panel allow air in with­ in all cases of suspected plant Rotocro p ' Econ­ out letting heat out. A base ventilator allows poisoning, body weight must be o mi ser ' lift-o ff convection of air right through heap. The range for a binful of molded flip-up, button-down lid keeps rain taken into consideration, since it is compost every few weeks. Rotocrop's out. heat in and makes filling easy. Unique far more likely that plant material lowest priced com­ patented slide panel design lets you remove post bins. Interlock­ ready compost at ground level without dis­ which is toxic may harm a child who ing panels form a weighs less than a full-grown adult. rigid heat-retaining . turbing mature layers. All models in unob­ cylinder. Flip-up lid fl~ · lop to fill. liII 0" I"mpty. trusive green will enhance your garden. Mute and innoncent as most for easy filling, keeps rain out, heat in . Lift off to Packed flat for simple home assembly in plants appear on the surface, just expose entire heap. minutes, without tools. Economlser 16 has 16 panels 33" high, 31 " di­ how many are actually harmful, or UNCONDITIONAL GUARANTEE. We'll ship in ameter. 12.7 cubic ft. capacity. $36.95 delivered. two weeks. If you're not delighted return it even deadly, according to the ex­ Economiser 12 has 12 panels 33" high, 23" di­ within 14 days for a full refund. The money you perts? Factual evidence based upon ameter. 7.1 cubic ft. capacity, $27.95 delivered. save in artificial fertilizers or commercial scientific research is practically compost will pay for your 'Accelerator' in no time. .. .-- . ';-"" . -,lW""' ~ non-existent. As indicated previ­ , . :~ , ~., . 'Accelerator' slide panel ously, studies at Ohio State Univer­ . .. ., " . ~, \ " . " .. --.....,.. ~ .. ~" compost bins sity ' have proved conclusively that ~ • AIN 06 I the poinsettia is deserving of a clean ------~Mail to: Rotocrop (USA) Inc. bill of health. An even more recent I 604 Aero Park, Doylestown. Pa. 1890_1 Prices include I USA delivery Name ______study, conducted by Frederick W . I Please ship: and 12-page I Oehme, D .V.M., Ph.D., Professor of 'Accelerator' Slide panel compost bins composting I I booklet. St t Toxicology and Medicine at Kansas 0 18 panel Super 18 at $54.95 ree ------o 14 panel Super 14 at $45.95 I State University, suggests that the I 0 10 panel Super 10 at $39.95 I enclose my City chrysanthemum, Jerusalem cherry, I 'Economlser' Lift-off compost bins check/ MO for $ _ ------I 016 panel 'Economiser' at $36.95 ReSidents of Penna I Continued on page 41 0 12 panel 'Economlser' at $27 95 add sales ta x 37 I State Zlp ____ I ~------~ ~ The Garriens ofliyon Palace Lorraine Burgess cacy in the 18th Century. These, to­ of this garden, accented by a tiered 202 Old Broadmoor gether with game from the forest, wall fountain. The Stevenson house Colorado Springs and vegetables and fruit from the is enclosed by yaupon hedges, and CO 80906 garden furnished food for the palace boasts a large pecan tree. A parterre tables. A handsome old lathhouse in garden with tree azaleas and an Ita­ Come spring, wander through the work garden includes planting lian well-head connects the Stanly history with a visit to the Tryon beds, hot beds, and shaded areas and Jones houses. The Jones garden Palace gardens along the Carolina where many of the garden's plants reflects a later garden period, with coast. The riverfront landmark was were (and are) propagated. brick-bordered beds and patio, and built in 1767-70 from designs by En­ Two privy, or private, gardens the flowers of a Southern garden. glish architect John Hawks, burned were especially designed for the en­ Admission to the Palace and in 1798, and restored by thoughtful joyment of the household, and in­ grounds is nominal ($2.00, less for citizens in 1952-59. Today the Palace tended for viewing from within the students). A combination ticket al­ and the gardens stand as a treasured Palace. Today one of the out-build- lows admission to the other histori- and authentic restoration. Originally Governor Tryon' s resi­ dence for the royal Carolina colony, and then, during the American Rev­ olution, the capitol of the indepen­ dent state, the remarkable restora­ tion of the Tryon Palace is a sight to behold. The gardens are a magnifi­ cent combination of formal plots, pleached allees, great greenswards, kitchen fruit and vegetable gardens, and a sprawling riverside wilder­ ness. Cordoned and espaliered fruit trees grace the fences of many of the inner gardens. Double-layered vines define other areas. Most of the plants-flowers, shrubs, and trees are of varieties known in America prior to 1770. In the spring, wild sweet crab, flowering cherry, English haw­ thorn, and flowering dogwood compete with tulips for attention. Weeping willow and French tamarisk mingle across the grounds with seven kinds of holly, sweet bay magnolia, and live oak. The spring­ flowering bulbs are particularly beautiful in the Latham Memorial Left and Above-Lathan Memorial Garden, Tryon Palace, New Bern, N .C. Garden, a walled garden honoring the restoration donor, Maude Moore ings on the grounds serves as a gar­ cal houses in the complex; this is just Latham. The beds are outlined with den shop. Here 20th Century vis­ sufficient to sustain this worthwhile boxwood, describing a variety of itors can purchase plants, propa­ endeavor. arabesque and scroll patterns. gated from the Palace gardens, to try The historic city of New Bern, at Within the boxed beds, the early in their own gardens. the confluence of the Trent and the tulips are succeeded by a mix of Three other historical houses and Neuse rivers, was named for the city summer flowers and these in turn by their gardens, adjacent to the entry of Berne in Switzerland. It dates an array of chrysanthemums in the gate, are open to the public. The back to 1710 and contains many fine fall. Stanly house has four circular beds examples of homes in a busy mid- A circular dovecote beside the of tulips, one marking each corner of 18th Century river port. Allow poultry house and yard marks the the house, and each bed has a tall yourself enough leisure time to architecturally-exciting home of Darlington oak in its center. Pretty enjoy all this city's historical and doves and squabs, a favorite deli- ogee-roofed gazebos are in the rear horticultural merits. 39 Daylilies cess has already shown that it is pos­ cost, yet with much greater profit to sible to develop hundreds of the breeders. This could stimulate Con.tin. ued fro m page 3 thousands of identical daylily plants even more competition among the cultivars sink quickly into obscurity in less than a year from a tiny piece breeders leading them to greater as a new load is poured forth each of tissue a fraction of an inch in size. heights of achievement. year. A new era may lie just ahead when a Daylilies are nearly free from dis­ Now we are faced with the ad­ limited number of the latest and eases and insect pests. We can skip justments necessary to accept the finest daylilies will be available over the subject of culture with just miracle of tissue culture. This pro- quickly to many gardeners at little one important exception. Gardeners New, Exciting, Rare and "Expensive" are realizing more and more that to Near White Polychrome, Light EI Tigre' get the best clumps with the most Astolat ' Dawn Ballet ' Gay Cravat' bloom over the longest period, the Gentle Echo 0 ' Prides Crossing' Mama Cha Cha ' most important thing is to have Ice Follies ' Lavender and Putple Fringed Silver Tone ample watering at all times during Aberdeen' Chicago Lavender Lace the growing season. Yellow Shades Chicago Bride * Creepy Crawler * Chicago Queen * It is pleasant to be able to recom­ Evening Bell * Bicolor Chicago Regal mend a large selection of daylilies Gleeman's Song Highland Lass * Hudson Valley' Chicago Royal for gardeners, hopefully satisfying a Look * Grape Harvest Very Early Helen Boehm * wide variety of desires and needs. Yucatec Son Orange Prelude * Mokan Violet * Resisting the urge to turn to the Melon Rum Plum ~ Picotee cliches of discussing "my favorite Mary Moldovan ' Wine Chicago Picotee Queen' dozen", "the author' s fifty fa ­ Tammas Red Shades Dwarf vorites" , or " the most popular Wine Bold' Little Hustler 0 ' Barbarossa * hundred", we will let the numbers Bruce' Apricot Mumtaz Mahal fall where they may. After question­ Chicago Rosy * Ruffled Apricot * Double Ed Murray 0 * Near Brown King Alfred' ing several dozen gardeners who Howard Goodson * Sable Night have purchased named daylilies for . Lusty Leland Small - Flowered Mexicana * Eyed Doll' some time, we find that the dividing Marion Broadnax' Brindlee Beauty Fever line between an "expensive" and a Rubric' Chicago Maid ' 0= diploid " non-expensive" daylily is around * Cliffor,d Turned On All others are tetraploids $7.50. Older, Satisfactory, Popular and "Inexpensive" Two listings follow. The first one Near White Heather Green ' Fringed includes daylilies most of which are Silver Fan Jane Austin Golden Surrey ' readily available that have been Kwan Yin 0 ' Yellow Shades Pink China Very Early listed recently in catalogs at $7.50 or Bengaleer Rose Revue Esperanza less. The second listing contains Chieago Star Shell Pink Spider-Flowered Crescent Moon 0 those that are being offered for more Twilight Sky Kindly Light 0 Erin Prairie ' Uncovered Treasure than $7.50 a plant. In some cases, the Galena Moon Lady Fingers 0 ' prices may be as high as $50.00 or Orange Evening Flowering Golden Prize' more. All varieties marked with an * Good Reason Egyptian Spice Tetrina's Daughter Manila Moon are favorites of the author. The lists Jade Bowl ' Miniature Mary Todd ' Polychrome, Light reflect information especially valu­ Party Mint Cinnamon Dew 0 Heavenly Harp , Thumbellina 0 able for New England and most of Winning Ways 0 Noah's Ark Yellow Crystal Dwarf what we would call the " North". A Melon Polychrome, Dark Little Cherub 0 very different list would be neces­ Adela Autumn Tinge Little Wart 0 sary if we were recommending day­ Alison Aztec Autumn Double Flowered Bright Copper lilies for the "South" , especially the Miss Peach 0 ' Arlow Stout 0 Queen Eleanor Lavender and Putple Yellow Petticoats 0 " Deep South". Red Shades Caption Zelda Stout 0 Readers are encouraged to visit Allegiance Catherine Woodbury 0 Small Flowered horticultural shows featuring day­ Lavender Flight 0 Chicago Blackout Child Bride lilies and to seek out the journals of Douglas Dale Oporto Club Scout 0 Fire Cup 0 Royal Flair Feather the American Hemerocallis Society Joey Langdon Eyed Green Flutter 0 at local libraries to obtain addresses Pink Shades Kempion Little Rainbow 0 of dealers or display gardens where Chicago Silkie ' Polka Time ' 0= diploid the newest cultivars may be pur­ Famille Rose Rocket City All others are tetraploids 40 chased or at least seen. As he explains their operation , Poisonous Plants the Federal Government has set up Con tinued from pag e 37 poison control info rmation centers dieff enbachia, geranium, a nd in each state, usuall y in the land­ philodendron , when consumed by grant coll ege, or in h osp itals w here animals at rates (sm all am o unts) medical aid can be given and where stipulated b y the Fed eral H azardous advice o n treatment for poisoned Substances Act Regulations of the individuals can be given to the m ed­ Your plaee in Consumer Products Safety Com­ ical pro fession an d the laym an ali ke. mission , d o n ot contain am ounts of These poison control centers are the sun. toxic material that p roduce an y ill ef­ sponsored by a division of the De­ . .. for year 'round gardening. • Over 90 Lean-To and Free­ fects. partment of H ealth, Educa tion and Standing models • Precision The most constructive and there­ Welfare and are the places to call in prefabricated to assemble easily, quickl y . Totally quality fore the most h elpful advice cu r­ cases of possible poisoning. engineered • Full accessories rently available on plant toxicity, W hich plants are p oisonous and line in cluding automatic climate controls. and how it mayor may not affect non-poisonous, toxic or non-toxic? humans and animals, is contained The q u estions continue. And the in Dr. Donald Wy m a n ' s ri chly answ ers, as in a jigsaw puzzle, con­ documented, fully illustrated , an d sist of m any pieces w h ich must fit carefully edited Garde ll in g Enc yclo­ together b efore th ey m a ke a n y pedia, a monumental effort which sense. deserves a prominent place in librar­ Important research b y scientists ies throughou t the coun try. of recognized stature h as alread y Wyman 's comments on " poison been accom p lish ed- in a concen­ plants" in general suggest that he trated effort to esta blish , on the has a wry wit. For example, he says: b asis of su stained and intensive in­ " Usually, one does not go to the vestiga ti on , w hich plants do, and garden and eat miscell a n eou s w hich d o not, pose a threat to hu­ foliage ." However, for the benefi t of m ans . those who do, and leaving no doubt The news, thus far, is good , w ith as to his ability to place the subject many popular plants having alread y in its proper perspective, Wyman r eceive d a clea n bill of h ealth . DAYLILIES goes on to explain that in using the Nevertheless,. a great d eal m ore re­ _ ' Wide selection of daylilies ~ . including those of George Pride term " poisonous," h e u su all y search is obviously need ed before ; ~ / ' ",\, (described In his article In this Issue) and other notable dayilly means " poisonous to man or ani­ all the pieces of the puzzle are neatly hybridizers. Siberian Iris and mals, since many more animals than fitted together. Japanese iris also available. humans have been poisoned by eat­ Meanwhile, the g reen i n g o f Write for free catalogue. ~TRANQUil LAKE NURSERY ing the foliage of plan ts." America continues; and as indoor, 45 River Street Rehoboth, MA 02789 Wyman easily establishes a per­ as well as outdoor, plants increase in sonal rule-of-thumb when it comes popularity, it b ehooves us all to re­ to the ingestion of the brightly­ m ember the advice which w as of­ SEAWRIGHT colored fruit of many indoor and fered recently to all plant lovers by GARDENS outdoor plants which normally at­ th e New York Sa fe ty Council: tract children. " There is no reason to stop growing According to Wyman, " One of the beautiful flowers and plants. Just ' 1 prime rules is to avoid any white kee p them out of y our mouth! /, '--- fruits, both in the northern part of " Train children not to chew on $( the country and in the tropics"; and anything other than known foods, he takes the further precaution of no matter how familiar it appears to $~Yt listing in his encyclopedia dozens of be. plants which may be found in gar­ " Keep a close w atch on little ones TETRAPLOID DAYLILIES dens and woods, all of which are in the hand-to-mouth stage. And 134 Indian Hill known to bear fruit which is toxic. remember, too, that adults are not Carlisle, Massachusetts 01741 Equally helpful to the layman is immune to unconscious nibbling." Telephone: (617) 369-2172 Dr. Wyman' s explanation of how In other words, where plants are federally-funded poison control concerned: Loo k, but do n't lick. Ad­ Write for Catalog centers actually work. mire, but do n' t pick . 41 Iris ka empferi demand an acid soil should be in full sun for best results. Iris from Seed and are hungry feeders. It is surpris­ Iris are sun-lovers. Continued from page 7 ing that one so rarely sees these iris These temperamental Japanese in gardens, probably because they iris, easily raised from seed, can be pled in fantastic patterns. Some had have a reputation for growing in grown in any garden and will repay large red pendulous falls, others water or under boggy conditions. you many times if their physiologi­ were mottled with white lines and This is a misconception. They can cal needs are considered and pro­ brilliant yellow throats. Still others grow under ordinary garden condi­ vided. The time scale for raising were double white parasol-like with tions if their growing bed is made them from seed is short. The rela­ yellow centers; double flattish red according to their nutritional de­ tively low cost of the hybrid seed­ mands and if they have sufficient lings make them desirable for any­ purple with yellow centers; " selfs" water during their growing and one wishing to establish a fine col­ of purple, red, pink, blue; double blooming period (3). This property ony. There are many cultivars on the pale blue heavily veined with pur­ is no different from any of the bor­ market to tern pt you. Any of the spe­ ple. der plants. cial growers can help you make a It has been noted by Kuribayashi A growing bed can be made as fol­ selection. and Hirao (2) in their book on "The lows: Remove the soil one foot in Japanese Iris" that all the cultivars depth .• Place either seasoned barn­ Refe£ences have the same chromosome number yard manure or commercial fer­ (1) Perry, Frances, and Greenwood, Leslie. as the wild originals, which may ex­ tilizer generously in the lower part 1972. Flowers of the World. Harnlyn Pub. Co., London. plain why they intercross readily. of the bed. Work in and replace the (2) Kuribayashi, M. and Hirao, S. 1970. The The foliage of these iris is erect soil after it has been mixed with Japanese Iris. Asali Shimbun Pub. Co., To­ and lance-shaped with a prominent three parts of peat. After the bed is kyo. (3) Perry, Reginald, 1975. New Light on mid-rib . They grow 2-3 feet in thoroughly watered it is ready to re­ Irises, Popular Gardening, Dec. 13, pg. 8-9. height. ceive the young plants. This bed London.

"WIWFLOWERS - the jewels of nature - can spark'le in your These rootstocks and many others are now in stock. Simpl y fi ll out the order form indicating which rootstocks you wish and in what quantity, and we will ship them garden this Spring, and grace your garden year after year. by parcel post. They will arrive safel y at your home ri ght at planting time with full planting and cultivating instructions. W ith your order you will receive free copi es NEW ENGLAND of our illustrated ca talogues which include our entire wildflower offerings. W e guarantee that the rootstocks shipped are true to name and leave O Uf nursery ROOTSTOCK in good condition. However, since we cannot control weather conditions or ASSOCIATION Selected customer 's care of stock, the purchase r must assume all ri sks after stock leaves our nurse ry. Wild Rootstocks ,------, NEW ENGLAND ROOTSTOCK ASSOCIATION Christian Hill, Great Barrington, Massachusetts 01230

Please send me the following: PRICES Quantity (o nly available in mult iples of 5) Min imum order S5.00 ____ Foamflower S _ ___ 5 of one va rie.ry S 5.00 ____ Bluebead Lily 10 of one va riety 9.00 ____ Tawny Daylil y Foamflower Bluebead Lily Tawny Daylily 25 of one va riety 20 .00 Tia rel/a cordifolia W ith C/intonia bo realis Hemerocal/is fulva This 50 of one variety 33.00 _ _ __ Little Me rrybells brown- orange bea uty tops a ____ Columbine fea thery white, orange Clusters of yellow- green 5 of rac/' va ri ety tipped spikes, this deni zen bells form berries of a tall stem w i th many oth er (30 rootstocks) 27 .00 ____ Fa lseSolompn 'sSeal lengthy buds, each blooming of rich, moist woods striking pure blue, rarely 10 of each va ri ety Check desired variety: spreads in shaded gardens. fo und in w ildflowers. one day onl y. It thrives (60 rootstocks) 50.00 o 5 of roch va ri ety (.30 rootstocks) Maplelike leaves appear Broad glossy leaves ca rpet and spreads in meadows and 25 of each va riety o 10 of fach va rie ty (60 rootstocks) in Spring, replac ing deeply shaded areas. along streams. (150 rootstocks) 11 5.00 o 25 of rod, variety (150 rootstecks) bronzed foli age. 50 of each variety o 50 of rach va riety (300 rootstocks) (300 rootstocks) 175.00 Total rootstocks $ ____ SHIPPING We take great Massachuse tts residents ca re in packing and expedit­ add 5% sales ta x ing all orders. T herefore we Add 15% fo r must charge 15% of the total postage and handling plant order to cover postage and handli ng. TotaI S ____

o Please se nd me your illustrated catalogues. I enclose $1.00. Little Columbine False Na me ______Aquilegia canadensis Sca rlet Merrybells and gold blossoms dance Solomon's Seal Ullu la ria sessifo lia Dainty on this spectacular native Simi/acitla ra cemosa Bunches Address ______and long-lasting, th ese of rough, rocky terrai n. of delicate, white fragrant precise, yellow, shade-loving An easy plant to grow, fl owers crown a zigzag City/Sta

African Violets Carnivorous Plants

America's Finest-110 Best Violets and Ges· Our color catalog and unique offering of neriads-Write for Color Catalogue 15<1:­ greenhouse-propagated carnivorous plants Illustrated Growing Aids Catalogue 25<1:­ are changing the nature of this fascinating FISCHER GREENHOUSES. Dept. AH . Lin· field of horticulture. Find out how much you wood, New Jersey 08221. never knew about CPo Catalog 50¢. New Vegetable Factory® bimonthly Carnivorous Plants Digest Amaryllis magazine, sample issue $1.50. Sun Dew En­ vironments, P.O. Box 111V, Denver, N.Y. SOLAR PANEL 12421 AMARYLLIS, largest sizes, ideal gift. Care­ fully selected varieties: Send for colored illus­ GREENHOUSE trated list. LOUIS SMIRNOW & SON, 85 lin­ Chestnuts den Lane, Glen Head P.O , Brookville, New USES 60% York 11545, Hybrid Chestnut-Blight Resistant­ Chinese-Native Cross. Four selections, all LESS HEAT. large size, sweet tasting , high quality nuts. The Avant Gardener $10.00 each.' Minimum order three. Two Th is prac t ical thermal wall greenhouse solves the energy cost p roblem . Patented selections recommended for cross pollina­ rigid double-wall constru ction, tested in GROW CONTENTED, RAISE CANE, CUT tion . Lundy's Nursery, Rt. 3. Box 35, Live Oak, Ve rmont. Cost about V3 as much to heat CORNERS with the unique gardening news Fla. 32060. Container plants available any as ordinary g re en houses. More than pays fo r itself in heat savings alone . Exclu si ve , service that brings you all the "firsts"-new time. Order now for fall bare root shipment. factory direct onl y. All model s and sizes, plants, products, techniques, plus sources, 5 year warranty. Free Color Brochure. feature articles, special issues, 24 times a Daffodil Bulbs Call or Wr ite tor tntorma tion year. See your garden glow! Curious? 3 sam­ ple copies $1 . Serious? $10 for a full year. Yellow Trumpets: King Alfred (Early) or First PO. Box 2235 THE AVANT GARDENER, Box 489R, New Dept. AH-4 York, NY 10028. (Extra-Early) Bushels $39., Pecks $11 . Post­ Grand Central Station paid Eastof Mississippi, 10% extra West. 10% New York, N.Y. 10017 Discount before June 15. Free folder features (212) 867-0113 Azaleas and Rhododendrons additional varieties, collections, mixtures. River's Edge Farm , Rt. 3, Box 228A, Glouces­ ter, Va. 23061 . LANDSCAPE AZALEAS SHIPPED-Indeed l With safe arrival guaranteed. Shop America's The complete guide largest mailorder selection of super hardy Dwarf Conifers & Companion Plants to self-sufficiency azaleas for outdoor landscaping. Catalog through growing $1 .00 (deductible). CARLSON'S GARDENS, Over 100 varieties of dwarf evergreens de­ Box 3-5-AH5, South Salem , NY. 10590. scribed by size, shape, color and texture . For your own food rock gardens, porch and patio, dwarf conifer Rhododendrons, Azaleas, from super-hardy and low foundation planting . Catalog $1 .00 Your Garden to greenhouse varieties; dwarf conifers, rock refundable with first order. WASHINGTON garden varieties. We ship. Catalog 50<1: . The EVERGREEN NURSERY, Box 125B, South Homestead Bovees Nursery, 1737 S.W. Coronada, Port­ Salem , NY 10590 On Inches, Yards, or Acres land, OR 97219. by THOMAS AND BETfY POWELL Ferns Buy It Wholesale From basic soil-building to today's most ex­ LEARN ABOUT FERNS-Receive 28 page citing discoveries in organic gardening, educational Bulletin and two page Lesson Thomas and Betty Powell, the authors of The DISTRIBUTE-RAND McNALLY ROAD monthly for only $8.00 yearly. International Avant Gardener, show you how to grow your MAPS . High Profits . Low Wholesale Fern Society, 4369-H Tujunga, North Hol­ own vegetables, fFuits, herbs, berries, grains, prices . Dealerships available. lywood, CA 91604. and nuts on an acre or a windowsill. Com­ Amerimap, Inc. 734 Marquette Bank Building, plete information includes special tips on canning, freezing, solar greenhousing, the Rochester, Minnesota 55901 (507) 288-6477. 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Loads ing 85~ postage and handling for each copy or- I may be designed to suit your particular MIST PROPAGATION AND TRICKLE IRRIGA­ I dered. If not delighted, 1 understand I may return any I book(s) within 10 days for full refund. I needs. Plants easily established, guaranteed TION DEVICES . Th e most versatile, produc­ against loss. HUGE PROFIT POTENTIAL. tive, reliable and durable. Fully Guaranteed. I Name I Address ______Silver String Cactus Company, P.O. Box 1573, AOUAMONITOR-Box 327-Z-Huntington, 44 Decatur, Ga. 30031 . (404) 288-5976. New York 11743 . I City State Zip _ _ • .--~------Fantastic plastic flowerpots. Free literature. Publications Pots up to 16 inches, round or square; flats & packs. Flor-1-pot, Box 34, Bethel MN 55433 ALPINE GARDEN SOCIETY. Complete set Bulletin Vols. 1-45, 190 nos., 1930 to date. Greenhouses Vols. 1-34 bound . $295 AMERICAN DAFFODIL SOCIETY. Complete Catalog of Ready-to-use greenhouse ventila­ set Journal, 1964-1977 in binders. $75 tion, heating, and cooling systems, acces­ AMERICAN FERN SOC IETY. 139 of 154 nos. of sories and hydroponic supplies. Send 50¢ to: Journal, 1931-1966. $110 ENVIRONMENTAL DYNAMICS, 3016-D8A AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Vine, Riverside, CA 92507. Vols . 25-56, 1946 to date. Vols. 25-44 bound. Includes azalea, holly, tree peony, daffodil and hemerocallis handbooks. $185 Ground Cover Plants AMERICAN PRIMROSE SOCIETY. Complete set Quarterly, Vols. 1-32, 1943-1977. Vols. Send today for my FREE PACHYSANDRA-Ideal Permanent Ever­ 1-24 bound . $100 fact filled, informative green Ground Cover Plants. Thrive in most AMERICAN ROCK GARDEN SOCIETY. Vols. COLOR CATALOG soils, sun or shade. Grow to an even height of 1-35 of Bulletin, 1943 to date. 151 of 159 nos. 8". Plant 6" apart. Sturdy, heavi Iy rooted in binders, $275. Full size, home gardener, plants, postpaid ; 50-$9.50 ; 100-$17.95; AMERICAN ROSE SOCIETY. Complete set 500-$63.95 ; 1000- $11 0.00. Guaranteed to Annual , 63 Vols., 1916-1977. $295 quality California live or we'll replace up to 1 yr. Folder on re­ ARNOLD ARBORETUM . Complete set Arnol­ REDWOOD greenhouses. quest. PEEKSKILL NURSERIES, SHRUB OAK dia, 38 Vols., 1941-1977. Cumulative index. 17, NEW YORK 10588 Vols. 1-25 bound. $225 FREESTANDING MODELS, BROOKLYN BOTANIC GARDEN . Complete LEAN-TO AND DOMES! House Plants set Plants and Gardens, 1945-1977 in 33 binders. $275 ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Com­ 95 FLOWERING JUNGLE CACTUS FOR HANG­ From$112 plete set Daffodil Year Book, 36 Vols. 1913- ING BASKETS and succulents for your win­ 1971 . $235 dowsill. Orchid cacti (epiphyllums), Easter For other series and individual books write for and Christmas cacti, rattail cacti, rhipsalis, ~ 1?UmJlF/l-. li st. G. S. Lee, Jr., 89 Chichester, New Canaan, THE GREENHOUSEMAN® hoyas, haworthias, and more! Send $1 .00 Conn. 06840 today (deductible from first order) for our ex­ 980 17th Ave., Dept. 7l-D panded new color catalog. 6 epiphyllum cut­ San ta Cruz, Calif. 95062 tings, named and rooted , $10.00 Postpaid. The Thompson Begonia Guide, second edi­ California Epi Center, Dept. AH4 , P.O. Box tion . Three volumes; 975 pages; ove r 750 2474, Van Nuys, CA 91404. black and white photos; and many line draw­ ings. Volumes may be purchased separately Beautiful Hawaiian Anthuriums-direct from but subscription to entire three volumes is re­ nursery at low prices. Send for price list. quired. To order and for further information Kuaola Farms, Box 1140, Hilo, Hawaii 96720. write to E. & M. Thompson, P.O. Drawer PP, Southampton, N.Y. 11968.

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